The #IceBucketChallenge has taken the internet by polar vortex. Too much? Well, according to The ALS Association, more than $22.9 million has been raised in the last two and a half weeks by the viral video campaign that is being championed by everyone from Bill Gates, to Weird Al, to a Star-Lord. The donations are coming in from long-time donors to the association and more than 450,000 new donors. The generosity is incredible.
The challenge requires that you, if tagged by someone, either give $100 to The ALS Association or dump a bucket of ice water over your head within 24 hours and donate $10. Originally, the challenge was just a “donate to the charity of your choice†situation that was started by pro-golfers last winter. Only in the last few weeks has it become the huge fundraising machine for The ALS Association that it is now. The ALS Association raises money to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. There are currently almost 30,000 Americans diagnosed with the disease. It attacks nerve cells and eventually leads to total paralysis though the brain remains fully functional. Those diagnosed have a life expectancy of only 2-5 years. Lou Gehrig’s disease has no cure and only one drug treatment in the US gives patients hope of a longer life expectancy.
Here are our favorite celebrity participants. We tried to hold out on a round-up until we heard from Ten, Smaug, Spider-Man, and Professor McGonagall, but the list was just getting too long. Enjoy the ice baths!
via Nathan Fillion
via Justin Willman
via Michael Trucco
via Sandra Hess
via John Barrowman
via Stephen Amell
via Tom Hiddleston
via Just Jared
via Orlando Jones
via Weird Al
via Groot
via Iron Man
via Drax
via Star-Lord
via Thomas Tull
via Team Coco
via The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
via Stephen King
via Jaime King & Taylor Swift who donated $100 each to the ALS Association on behalf of each person who participated in their video.
via Zachary Levi
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What’s your favorite Ice Bucket Challenge you’ve seen? Share it with us in the comments below.
Cookie Monster’s challenge has been my favorite so far!
Zach Levi…. You’re doing it right! 🙂 A class act
Dr. Dre’s was easily a favorite as was Steve Harvey’s… Mainly because I did not expect to see them. However while your article has some good ones, I can’t help but notice the absence of Mr. Hardwick’s. The world is waiting.