The Ice Bucket Challenge, sometimes called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on someone's head to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) and encourage donations to research. It went viral on social media during July–August 2014.[1][2] In the US, many people participate for the ALS Association, and in the UK, many people participate for the Motor Neurone Disease Association,[3] although some individuals have opted to donate their money from the Ice Bucket Challenge to other organizations.[4]
The challenge encourages nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that nominated participants have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation.[5]
On 1 August 2015, the ALS Association re-introduced the Ice Bucket Challenge for 2015 to raise further funds,[6] with the intention of establishing it as an annual occurence
Origins Edit
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Atlanta Falcons players, coaches, and staff take the Ice Bucket Challenge
The origins of the idea of dumping cold water on one's head to raise money for charity are unclear and have been attributed to multiple sources.[8] The most commonly accepted origin credits Pete Frates, a Boston College student who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2012.[9][10] Pat Quinn, a friend of Frates who was diagnosed with ALS in 2013, is also credited with creating the challenge.[11][12]
From mid-2013 to early 2014, a challenge of unknown origin often called the "Cold Water Challenge" became popular on social media in areas of the Northern United States. The task usually involved the option of either donating money to cancer research or having to jump into cold water.[13] According to the Wall Street Journal, the Ice Bucket Challenge was begun by professional golfers as means to support various pet charities.[14][15]
One version of the challenge, which took place in Salem, Indiana as early as May 15, 2014, involved dousing participants with cold water and then donating to a charity, for example a local child diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.[16] In another version, the Auckland Division of the Cancer Society of New Zealand was the beneficiary.[17] As with similar challenges, it was usually filmed so footage can be shared online.[18][19]
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation popularized the "Cold Water Challenge" in early 2014 to raise funds as an unsanctioned spin-off of the polar plunge most widely used by Special Olympics as a fundraiser.[20]
On May 20, 2014, the Washington Township, New Jersey fire department posted a video on YouTube participating in the "Cold Water Challenge" with fire hoses. Participating members of the department were subsequently punished for using fire department equipment without permission.[21]
Shifting focus to ALS Edit
The challenge first received increased media attention in the United States on June 30, 2014, when personalities of the Golf Channel program Morning Drive , televised the social-media phenomenon, and performed a live, on-air Ice Bucket Challenge.[22]
Soon after, the challenge was brought to mainstream audiences when television anchor Matt Lauer did the Ice Bucket Challenge on July 15, 2014 on NBC's The Today Show at Greg Norman's challenge.[23][24]
On the same day, golfer Chris Kennedy did the challenge, then challenged his cousin Jeanette Senerchia of Pelham, New York, whose husband, Anthony, had ALS for 11 years.[11] Kennedy's challenge was the first documented instance of the challenge being connected with ALS.[11] At this time, the challenge was not connected directly with ALS.[25] Participants would donate to a charity of their choice.[25]
Green Bay local radio and TV personality John Maino performs the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Pat Quinn, who was friends on Facebook with the Senerchias, encouraged his friends to take the challenge, and soon after, Pete Frates began posting about the challenge on Twitter.[26] Frates was awarded the Stephen Heywood Patients Today Award in 2012 for his fundraising and advocacy work.[27] Frates' Boston College and sporting connections became an initial focus of the challenge and strengthened its focus on ALS.[28]
In his video, Stephen Hawking declined to perform the challenge due to pneumonia the year before; however, his three children took the challenge for him.[29]
The President of the United States, Barack Obama, was challenged by Ethel Kennedy but declined, opting to contribute to the campaign with a donation of $100.[30] Justin Bieber[31] (who was criticized for not properly doing the challenge),[32] LeBron James,[33] and "Weird Al" Yankovic[34] also challenged President Obama after completing the Ice Bucket Challenge. Former President George W. Bush completed the challenge and nominated fellow former President Bill Clinton.
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