The Ice Bucket Challenge campaign fundraised for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that damages motor neurons, the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement.
The viral campaign exploded across social media in July and August 2014. Participants filmed themselves having ice water poured over their heads, then nominated others to take part, donate, or do both. Its focus shifted strongly toward ALS after people connected with Pete Frates and Pat Quinn helped promote the challenge in support of ALS organizations.
The campaign raised more than $115 million for the ALS Association alone and hundreds of millions more worldwide. The money supported research, patient services, education, and care. A major scientific result was funding for Project MinE and research that helped identify the ALS-associated gene NEK1.
A common mix-up is confusing ALS with muscular dystrophy or cancer because several neurological and medical charities benefited from similar cold-water challenges. ALS is also known as motor neuron disease and, in the United States, Lou Gehrig’s disease.