The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was one of the biggest and most visible charitable campaigns to take over social media this summer, but how much of an impact did the challenge really have? According to the ALS Association, the impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge was massive to say the least. Reportedly, donations to the ALS Association amounted to more than $110.5 million as of September 8.
Some critics have called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge a form of “slacktivism,” in which participants can feel good about uploading a video but don’t actually do anything to progress the cause. Others have called it downright egotistical, such as Vice’s Arielle Pardes who admonished the campaign, calling it “narcissism masked as altruism.” Despite being labeled a “slacktivist” campaign, the more than $100 million donated to the ALS Association would never have been garnered without the huge amount of public support that the Ice Bucket Challenge generated.
“The ALS Association is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from people all over the world. We thank you for participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge and for making donations to support our fight against the disease,” the organization posted on its website. According to the organization, 3 million donors contributed to the influx of vital funds, and countless more raised awareness about the deadly disease by uploading their videos and joining the conversation.
The mission of the ALS Association is to “lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.” Although the Ice Bucket Challenge was started as a way to help the organization achieve its ongoing mission, it turned into a campaign that succeeded in not only raising funds, but in creating awareness about a disease that is rarely talked about.
Learn more about ALS and the immense success of the Ice Bucket Challenge by visiting the ALS Foundation’s website.