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Moral donations aid research via Ice Bucket Challenge

Medical institute in Iowa dedicated to ALS uses only adult stem cells in research

Published: August 28, 2014   
Getting doused with cold water for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at St. Joseph School in Conway are food services worker Stefanie Simon (left), second grade teacher Katie Hiegel, elementary school secretary Shannon Harrison, volunteer coordinator Angela Rawls and school nurse Charity Luyet.

This is an updated and expanded version of an earlier Arkansas Catholic online story.

Catholic leaders are urging donors to understand more about the ALS Association, where most people are sending their donations after taking the Ice Bucket Challenge.

In late July videos began popping up on Facebook and Twitter challenging their followers to pour ice water on their heads and post the videos or donate $100 to an ALS charity to bring awareness to the devastating disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

As of Aug. 26 the ALS Association, the largest group focusing on research and patient care, has raised $88.5 million,  compared to $2.6 million during the same period last year.

The ALS Association has admitted to supporting embryonic stem cell research, which destroys human life at the embryonic stage.

To honor the spirit of this challenge, the Diocese of Little Rock suggested donations be sent to the John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa City, Iowa, which conducts research only on adult stem cells.

Carrie Munk, a spokeswoman for the ALS Association, told Catholic News Service in an Aug. 26 email that the organization primarily funds adult stem cell research and is at the end of funding one single embryonic study, which is funded by one specific donor.

She said that if someone "is uncomfortable with any type of research we do, they can restrict their gift" stipulating that it not be used in the embryonic stem study or any stem cell research.

In a statement about its research funding, the association said it "primarily funds adult stem cell research. Currently, the association is funding one study using embryonic stem cells, and the stem cell line was established many years ago under ethical guidelines set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke."

The John Paul II institute on its website says it focuses on “the most ethical and cost-effective way of conducting medical research to help develop therapies and cures for a variety of diseases.”

With all Catholic schools in session in Arkansas by Aug. 19, more pastors and principals were posting their own videos last week.

On Aug. 22 Superintendent Vernell Bowen said, “In consultation with Bishop Taylor, our diocese approves the Ice Bucket Challenge sponsored by schools as long as they donate to morally acceptable charities.”

At St. Joseph School in Conway, teachers and priests got into the act.  

The challenge began at St. Joseph when former pre-school employee Catherine Zinno issued the challenge in honor of Lynn Sterka, a pre-school aide who was recently diagnosed with ALS. She also has grandchildren in St. Joseph elementary and high schools.

Three pre-school teachers — Paula Siebenmorgen, Carrie Simon and Amy Covington — took the challenge Aug. 20.

On Aug. 22, elementary principal Matt Tucker got doused along with several teachers and staff.

Then later in the day pastor Father John Marconi, associate pastor Father Robert Cigainero and seminarian Martin Siebold all received an ice water bath from middle school students. 

Father Marconi and others promised to send their donation to the John Paul II institute as suggested.

In North Little Rock, Immaculate Conception School principal Marcia Brucks took the challenge Aug. 22 in memory of former parent Leigh Green, who died of ALS in 2012.

In Danville Father James Melnick shared his video after Mass Aug. 24. Some altar servers also got doused.

Catholic Charities director Patrick Gallaher said there are other morally acceptable charities to support, including the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Anthony Windebank at the Mayo Clinic and Adult Stem Cell Technology Center in Boston.

Catholic News Service contributed to this article.

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