Social Media Trend Raises over 40 million dollars for ALS Research | Eastern NC Now

    If you have been on any form of Social Media recently, you have most likely seen the "Ice Bucket Challenge". Usually if a "challenge" trend spreads over the internet, it results in many teenagers doing something stupid and getting injured; but it's okay because they gain more followers, because priorities are important and social media followers measures life success.

    This challenge is different, in fact one of the few times I think big social networks caused something significant. The Ice Bucket Challenge is a social media campaign raising awareness and funding for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Research. The ALS Association defines the syndrome as "a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord." Every year approximately 5,600 more patients are diagnosed with ALS, with no boundaries it can happen to anyone at any age.

    Here is how the Ice Bucket Challenge works, one person pours a bucket of ice/ice water over their head; along with this they challenge three friends to the challenge. Their two "options" are to donate $100 to ALS research or do the challenge (some donate and do the challenge.) The challenge numbs the body's nerves simulating ALS to participants. People everywhere have participated in the challenge around the world, including well-known people such as: Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (Facebook doesn't let people link to posts), and Former President George W. Bush (many more to list, but this article is not intended to be a directory.) President Barack Obama was challenged, however the President denied and donated to ALS research; I've heard people criticizing the president for "only donating $100, however it can be more, many of the participants don't reveal your donation amount (also it is a charitable donation, he didn't have to give anything.)

    With the rapid growth of the internet trend, turned ALS into a disease that is now well-funded for research, assistance for patients, and awareness in a matter of days. The ALS Association reported on August 21, 2014 the following,

• "The ALS Association has received $41.8 million in donations compared to $2.1 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 21). These donations have come from existing donors and 739,275 new donors to The Association."

    ALSA also added included the donations will be used to provide funding for global research, and care services for patients.

    If you wish to learn more about the ALS Association please go to alsa.org.

Source: Generosity Continues with Ice Bucket Donations Reaching $41.8 Million