Participants put buckets of ice on their heads as they take part in the World Record Ice Water Challenge at Etihad Stadium on August 22, 2014, in Melbourne, Australia.
Scott Barbour / Getty Images
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Scott Barbour / Getty Images
Participants put buckets of ice on their heads as they take part in the World Record Ice Water Challenge at Etihad Stadium on August 22, 2014, in Melbourne, Australia.
Scott Barbour / Getty Images
If you think about 2014, you probably remember the videos dotting your social media feeds showing your friends standing out in the yard waiting and smiling nervously at the cold shock that was about to hit them. surname.
After your friend spoke a little and pledged to raise money for the ALS Association, a large bucket of ice water was poured over their heads, drenching them as they tried to ward off the cold. And whether before or after, each video includes a challenge for another friend to do the same.
That’s how pretty much every ALS Ice Bucket challenge goes – and while it may seem like just a trend on social media, it’s actually made a huge difference in the world of research. about ALS.
Association of ALS speak $2.2 million in funds raised from the Ice Bucket Challenge were used to fund development and testing new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration this week to treat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“We thank the millions of people who have donated, participated, and allowed us to invest in promising therapies like the AMX0035 that will immediately help those living with ALS,” said Calneet Balas, president and CEO. executive director of the ALS Association said. “This is a win for the entire ALS community, who have come together to campaign for early approval” of the treatment.
The new drug isn’t a cure for the fatal neurodegenerative disease, but it does slow its effects. Balas said the funding from the challenge has “significantly accelerated the fight against ALS.”
The recently approved FDA drug isn’t the only one to benefit from this challenge. More than $115 million has been raised from this trend, and the ALS Association says it is funding 130 research projects in 12 different countries, as well as 40 potential treatments in development. .
