I didn't know anything about this disease at all before I heard of what many celebrities are doing. Without the game becoming popular in the social media, most of us will probably remain innocent of this rare disease now. According to the report of ALS Association published in September 22, 2014, "most of The Association's chapters in both large and small markets, have seen a 30 to 100 percent increase in registrations for their Walks. The ALS Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter, for example, saw a substantial increase in the total number of walk participants at its most recent even in Pittsburgh: 1,977 participants in 2013 compared to 3,277 people in 2014" (ALS Association). More and more people are getting involved in the effort to help ALS patients. .
"The viral phenomenon known as the 'Ice Bucket Challenge' has not only raised awareness but also money for the ALS Association." (Bo Koltnow) The game works like this: Whoever is nominated is expected to film himself/herself pouring a bucket of ice water all over them, then they can nominate others and ask from them the same action. If the nominated refuse to take the bucket of ice water pouring on their heads, they can donate 100 dollars instead. Of course you can do both, so it doesn't mean that those who choose the bucket of ice water refused to donate. Actually many celebrities did both. The initiators didn't expect much donation in the beginning, but things went out of control. "Since July 29, 2014, The ALS Association has received $115 million in donations" (ALS Association), while according to the financial report of ALS Association the "revenue from all sources for the fiscal year 2013 of The ALS Association was $29,102,318" (ALS Association). From the contrast we can see how much difference the game made in raising fund. .
As the trend spread to other parts of the world, the unique charity culture of the United States is influencing many other countries.
