Oak Harbor couple revives Ice Bucket Challenge to spotlight vets' ALS

Brandon and Kristi Doucette of Oak Harbor relaunched an updated Ice Bucket Challenge on Jan. 16 to raise awareness that veterans are about twice as likely as the general public to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Brandon, a 43-year-old military veteran recently diagnosed with ALS, and his wife asked neighbors and online followers to take part in a simple, shareable action to draw attention to the disparity and to connect caregivers and patients across Island County.

Participants are asked to record themselves reading a short awareness script, pour ice water or choose an alternative accessible action, flash two peace signs and tag others with the hashtag #vets2x. The Doucettes emphasize that sharing stories, videos and local resources matters even for those who do not do the water dumping itself. The couple has also raised community support through a GoFundMe, and the campaign is explicitly grassroots, aimed at building community connection and practical support rather than fundraising alone.

The relaunch repurposes the familiar ice bucket format into a local public health prompt: two peace signs to symbolize the roughly twofold increased risk veterans face. For Island County, where many families are connected to the military and where rural distances can complicate access to specialty care, the campaign offers a way to spotlight needs that go beyond a single social media moment. Caregivers living on Whidbey and Camano islands often face transportation, work and respite challenges; awareness drives can help reduce isolation and surface practical resources within the community.

Beyond personal stories, the renewed challenge raises broader questions about how health systems and policy meet the needs of veterans with neurodegenerative disease. Higher ALS rates among veterans underscore the importance of targeted outreach, research into potential service-related exposures, and equitable access to multidisciplinary care and caregiving supports. In rural and island settings, coordinating specialty neurology care, durable medical equipment and home-based services can be especially difficult, so local awareness campaigns that connect people to resources may have outsized impact.

For now, the Doucettes’ effort is community first: a call for neighbors to amplify veterans' experiences, share information and offer practical help. Islanders who want to participate can use the hashtag #vets2x, share stories or post alternative actions if pouring water is not feasible. The campaign points to a larger need for sustained attention to veterans' health on the islands, and it may prompt conversations about how local providers and policymakers can better support patients and caregivers in the months ahead.