Until Friday afternoon, I had adamantly refused to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

However, that’s not to say I wouldn’t donate money to the ALS Association had I been nominated. I just didn’t want to dump a bucket of freezing ice water on myself.

That all changed Friday afternoon.

During our weekly Sunflower staff meeting, our business manager, Robbie Norton, announced that she would be participating in the ice bucket challenge after the meeting and would be challenging the whole staff to do the same. After the meeting, a group of us went outside Elliott Hall to watch as one of our staff members dumped a small bucket of water on Robbie’s head.

Afterward, she challenged the staff and others from around the university. Robbie repeatedly asked me if I would complete the task now that she had challenged the staff. Reluctantly, I accepted.

When the time came for my video, I was a little more excited for it, since it was boiling hot outside on Friday. I knew the ice water would be a great way to cool off, while raising awareness for a good cause.

After I announced my nominations for the challenge, Robbie stepped forward and dumped the water on my head. I wasn’t cold, but I did regret having a soaked T-shirt and a half wet sock until I went home, nearly two hours later.

I don’t know what caused me to decide to complete the challenge, but I am glad I did. The money goes to a good cause and will help benefit the population in the long run.

Even if you don’t want to dump ice-cold water on your head (though you should consider it, given the triple-digit heat we’ve been having), you should still donate to the ALS Association if you get nominated. Heck, even if you aren’t nominated, you should still donate.

It’s not like there’s a written rule that says you absolutely have to donate $100 if you don’t do the challenge after being nominated. That’s just part of the trend, and it doesn’t mean you have to donate that amount of money, though it’s wonderful if you do.

Only 30,000 people get diagnosed every year, but those are 30,000 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons, daughters. Don’t they all have a right to live and not suffer with the disease?

We are all in this game of life together. We all need help, and we can all give help. In this case, you should definitely help — it will go a long way.