GUH Medical Scientist launches next "Icebucket Challenge" in aid of ME research

Nicola Lavin (Glynn), a Medical Scientist at Galway University Hospitals is one of the brainchildren behind a new and novel social fundraising campaign. Many believe will go viral online and become the next "Ice Bucket Challenge".

The Menlo native, who suffers from a neuroimmune disorder known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or sometimes referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), soon realised that little research has been conducted in the area of ME. Nicola and 3 others patients with ME, who met on Facebook, decided that something needed to be done to promote awareness of the condition, whilst raising much needed funds for research in the area of ME. From this, the Chilli M.E. Challenge idea was perceived and has been gaining momentum worldwide since its official launch in May of this year. 

Like the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising craze that took the world by storm last year, the Chilli M.E. Challenge is simple yet clever. Participants are asked to create a funny video of themselves eating a chilli pepper and post the video results on the internet. 

They then nominate five others to take the Chilli M.E. Challenge and to donate a small amount of money to ME research. Whilst we don't endorse eating chilli's whole, they are used as a metaphor to highlight pain, temperature extremes, suddenness of the illness and the huge impact that ME has on people’s lives all over the world. 
 

So far, the Chilli M.E. Challenge has raised almost €500,000 for ME research worldwide and this figure continues to grow every week. Celebrities who have already taken part in the Chilli M.E. Challenge include Italian chef Antonio Parello, M.E. researcher Lucinda Bateman and scientist/movie advisor Dr. Ian Lipkin, who has worked with movie stars Robert deNiro and Channing Tatum.

Award winning chef Neven MaGuire has kindly donated a prize for the best Irish Chilli M.E. Challenge video in July. This prize includes a voucher for Sunday lunch at the prestigious MacNean House and a copy of his new book. Videos uploaded and shared on the Chilli M.E. Challenge Facebook page will be automatically entered into the competition. Closing date for the competition is July 14th.

Participants in Ireland can donate to the worthy cause by texting HOT to 50300. For more information, see chillimechallenge.wordpress.com  and to see videos of those who have taken the Chilli M.E. challenge, visit  www.facebook.com/ChilliMEChallenge