Few people have been as touched by Lou Gehrig’s disease as Don Zollen.
Now in honour of his father and two friends, all three of whom died from the disease, the Flin Flon man has taken the Ice Bucket Challenge – and is urging his comrades at Legion branches across Canada to do the same.
Zollen had his son, Ryan, dump a bucket of icy water over his head while in full Legion attire last week.
Don had accepted a nomination to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, the fundraising phenomenon sweeping the globe to fight Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS.
Voices hushed as a few words Don had prepared were read.
Don’s father passed away from ALS in 1985. He later lost two friends to the disease in the early 2000s.
“It’s a terrible thing,” he said.
Don not only accepted the challenge, but also challenged all Legion members to accept and do the same.
He then nominated Ryan, who accepted the challenge before Don gladly poured ice water over his son’s head.
Through donations collected at the Legion’s Aug. 29 meat draw, the Zollen family was able to donate over $300 to ALS research.
