Rahn, Bobbitt, Faculty, Med Students Take Ice Bucket Challenge

By Ben Boulden

Before taking the challenge, Rahn, left, and Bobbitt present a ceremonial check to Jim Tull, treasurer of the Arkansas Chapter of the ALS Association.

Rahn, left, shakes hands with Waggoner, and Bobbit with Cagle after the students poured ice water over them.

Sept. 5, 2014 | UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., and University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt, Ph.D., received a cold reception along with warm applause and laughter Friday as they were drenched with a mix of ice and water while taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

The Arkansas Chapter of the ALS Association sponsored the “Freezin’ for a Reason” event, organized by UAMS College of Medicine students, to raise funds for the chapter and for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research at UAMS.

ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease of the brain and spinal cord, affecting the nerve cells that control voluntary movement. There is no cure.

“Before Dr. Bobbitt and I get dunked, I want to thank everybody who participated in this and for all the funds that have been raised for ALS research,” Rahn said. “It’s my privilege to be able to present a portion of the proceeds — $750 — to the ALS Association to support ALS research. Donors also are contributing to this effort for ALS research at UAMS. Total funds raised so far are in excess of $4,000.”

The Ice Bucket Challenge is a national social media-based campaign that involves dumping a bucket of ice water on someone’s head to raise awareness of the disease and encourage funds for ALS research. Participants then challenge someone else to do the same or forfeit by donating to fight ALS. Many times participants do both.

The College of Medicine’s Class of 2017 recently challenged Rahn, and Rahn in turn challenged Bobbitt. Along with some of the student class presidents of the college, Rahn and Bobbitt sat near the UAMS Medical Center fountain as students poured the wintry mix over their heads.

College of Medicine students along with their families and friends put money into an ice bucket being used for the fundraising effort and nominated students to take the ice bucket challenge.

UAMS is home to the J. Thomas May Center for ALS Research, directed by John Crow, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology/toxicology in the College of Medicine, and has the only designated MDA/ALS clinic in the state, directed by Stacy Rudnicki, M.D., professor of neurology in the College of Medicine.

“One of the people I admire most in this world and who has had an enormous influence on me both personally and professionally is Tommy May,” Bobbitt said after the challenge. “If an event like today can even in a very small way help find a cure or gain better insight into ALS, then it is worth every drop of cold water and I’d do it again anytime.”

May, the former CEO and chairman of Pine Bluff-based Simmons First National Bank Corp., was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. Friends and colleagues of May gave more than $2 million to UAMS to establish the center, dedicated in 2008.