The ALS Ice Bucket challenge has done a lot of good in these past few days (as is the case every year) to raise awareness for ALS. While we have seen a share of American tech entrepreneurs and company owners get “doused” with a bucket of ice cold water, the ice bucket challenge has now made its way to China.
Recently, OnePlus One maker Pete Lau accepted his ice bucket challenge, as did Youku co-founder Victor Koo. While Lau had an ice bucket and had his challenge performed in a somewhat secluded event, Koo relied on two decent-sized containers of water to pour on himself at a public event.
The celebrities that have participated and donated to ALS in light of the Ice Bucket Challenge continues to rise. Last week, the world saw Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg pour his ice bucket, then challenge his social media site employee Cheryl Sandberg and Bill Gates to the challenge. Bill Gates accepted his challenge by constructing an ice bucket-pouring mechanism (before pulling the cord to have the ice bucket pour the chilly water on his head), then gave a challenge to Ryan Seacrest and others. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had a group of Hackathon winners pour an ice cold bucket over his head. Following these interesting ice bucket challenges were those of Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
While tech giants have been leading the way in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, other celebrities are participating as well. Former Hootie and the Blowfish and New Country Music Hall of Famer Darius Rucker accepted his Ice Bucket Challenge recently. After having someone pour the bucket on his head, he challenged three others to do the same over the next 24 hours.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge originated with a Facebook user and former college athlete named Pete Frates who performed the Ice Bucket Challenge and dared others to do the same in order to raise money for ALS. Currently, $10 million has been raised in honor of ALS research, with over 200,000 new first-time donors pledging to the cause. Those who are challenged can pour ice cold water over their heads, give $100 (or more) to ALS research, or do a bit of both. It has been a true joy to see celebrities and tech giants give up a few minutes of their time (and a little pride) in order to raise money and awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a disease that affects many people we love, whether near or far, whether nationally or internationally. Times like these remind us that color only runs skin-deep – and that our humanity runs much deeper.
Pouring a bucket of ice cold water over your head may not be the most comforting thing to do, but who knew that a little cold water and donations for a cause could make you feel so good?
