5 Things to Know About the Facebook Ice Bucket Challenge

by Karl Utermohlen | August 14, 2014 12:23 pm

Facebook (FB[1]) users may have noticed something called the Facebook ice bucket challenge[2], the latest social media fad.

[3]However, it’s much more than that. Everyone seems to be taking part in the Facebook ice bucket challenge because it’s being used as a way of raising awareness for a good cause. Here are five things to know about it:

• ALS: The purpose of the Facebook ice bucket challenge is to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a deadly disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
• How it Works: If you are chose to complete the challenge, you have 24 hours to either donate $100 to ALS research, or dump a bucket of ice water on your head. If you choose the latter, you must post the video on Facebook and challenge three people to follow suit. You can also do both, of course.
• Who Started It: Boston College baseball player Peter Frates started the Facebook ice bucket challenge back in July[4]. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2012.
• How Much it’s Raised: Between July 29 and August 12, the Facebook ice bucket challenge has helped bring 70,000 new donors to the cause. The ALS association[5] and its 38 chapters have received $4 million in donations over that span compared to $1.12 million during the same span last year.
• Who’s Done It: Plenty of celebrities[6] have taken part in the Facebook ice bucket challenge including Mark Zuckerberg, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, Martha Stewart, Elizabeth Banks and more.

FB stock is up 0.2% Thursday afternoon.

More Facebook (FB) News:

• FB Trick: How to Avoid Downloading Facebook Messenger App[7]
• FB News: Facebook Tests New ‘Buy’ Button
• FB Malware Alert: Beware the Facebook Color Change Scam

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2014/08/facebook-ice-bucket-challenge-fb/

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