The Ice Bucket Challenge: Celebrities Support ALS Awareness

A literally “cool” truth-or-dare that began merely as fun, harmless campaign has now taken over the entirety of social media in assistance to raise awareness – as well as funds – for research and finding effective treatments for the dreaded Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or often referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

For those of you who may have been living under a rock for quite some time now, the Ice Bucket Challenge is the act of dumping a bucket or a drum of ice water on someone's head as a stand-in for donating money to a certain charity, foundation or research program. In this case, it is the ALS Association Research Program. The participant will then nominate another person to either do the challenge, which they have to complete within the next 24 hours, or otherwise donate money to the said research program.

What started out to be as simple, ordinary fundraising bet quickly escalated into an unexpected soaking viral social media challenge; a chain reaction that abruptly involved high-caliber celebrities and personalities ranging from politicians, athletes, actors, actresses to business tycoons and social media magnates.

Check out some photos of these celebrities willing to take the splash!

Conan O’ Brien wants it the other way around (jokingly wants $100 for soaking himself)

Jimmy Fallon, together with Rob Higgle, Horatio Sanz, Steve Higgins and The Roots calling out the New York Jets to do the challenge

(Photo Courtesy: Perez Hilton)

Robert Downey Jr nominates Chris Hemsworth

(Photo courtesy: Kerry Washington via Instagram)

Kerry Washington accepts 2 cold buckets, and nominates Jimmy Kimmel

(Photo Courtesy: Chloe Moretz via Instagram)

Chloe Moretz has been nominated Ed Sheeran just before downing the bucket

According to ALS Association's page, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that causes brain muscle to weaken due to progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This causes the loss of brain movement and control, leaving the patient immobilized and eventually to his/her untimely death.

One of the many known victims of this atrocious nervous disorder is the famous MLB first baseman, Lou Gehrig (hence the disease's name).

Although researchers, doctors and scientists are still in limbo, and currently blaming the risk factors of this disease to heredity, many written research papers are suggesting that the deterioration of the neurons is due to environmental toxins and deficiency of an antioxidant enzyme called oxide dismutase, an enzyme that helps to stop free-radicals.

In addition, despite medical research about vitamins and supplements, as well as other prescribed medicine and natural remedies claim to stop – if not slow the degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain – there is still no known, tested and proven medicines to cure ALS.

On a brighter note, according to the ALS Association, as of August 18, 2014, the amount of the donation that has been raised due to the Ice Bucket Challenge has already received $15.6 Million, gaining $307,596 from the largest chunk of new donors. This will help continue their studies and other research to end ALS.

So, have you accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge yet?