INVOLVED YOUTHS

photo:(movember.ca)

Today’s youth #selfie #TBT (throw back Thursdays) #MCM (Man Crush Mondays). These are all terms that have been coined over the last couple of years. Seemingly, very self-absorb generation. BUT there is still hope: #MOVEMBER, #MOBROS, #MOSISTERS, #ALSICEBUCKETCHALLANGE. These are all USEFUL and MEANINGFUL  hash tags raising awareness about prostate cancer and ALS (neurodegenerative disorder).  Social media has become part of our daily lives, whether it is Facebook or Instagram. According to PEW REASEARCH CENTER 83% of all social media site are between the ages 18-29. If 83% of the users are YOUTHS than we owe a big thank you to them for filling are newsfeeds (Facebook), or Instagram (likes) with their participation in these fundraising activities. As a MOBRO (term for a male participant in Movember) which goal is to raise money for  men’s health primarily prostate cancer research, the MOBRO starts clean shaven and grown a moustache for the month of November , posting picture of the stashes progress , using the social media sites as a marketing tool and fundraising aid.#ALSCHALLANGE was a fundraising campaign for a neurodegenerative disorder. I was previously unaware of the severity of this disorder until I was nominated to participate by a fellow classmate. The nomination was a challenge to pour and ice bucket filled with waterand ice  over your head. If you did not accept the challenge you would have to donate 100$ to ALS foundation, if you completed the challenge you can make a donation in the amount of your choosing. Since July 29, 2014, The ALS Association has received $115 million in donations!. Without youth today that would not have been possible, with 83% of Facebook users being youths, this would account for a large part of the 15 million "people talking about ALS" and a large part of the 1.2 million videos posted

I am very optimistic about the youth today every once in while I am surprised and the effect that youths can have when they put their mind to it, fundraising for cancer research and ALS disorder. These acts of community and selflessness, caring and compassion are all traits our youth today should be proud of, and will pass on to our next generation.The future looks bright !