Ice Bucket Challenge (2024)

Ten years ago, a few young men in the northeastern United States started a global social media phenomenon that raised hope, awareness, and buckets of money to invest in research, care, and advocacy for people living with ALS/MND around the world.

Pete Frates, Patrick Quinn, and Anthony Senerchia, Jr., inspired the world, demonstrating that even fundraising for a fatal disease could still be fun. While they are no longer with us, their legacy lives on.

The Ice Bucket Challenge led to new treatments being approved, new genes being discovered, new assistive technology being developed, and new global research collaborations.

Celebrating a Decade of Impact

On the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge, we’re asking each member association to commemorate this milestone. Let’s leverage our collective strength to keep the momentum going.

Here are a few ways we can make a significant impact together:

• Help each other:Help us raise awareness about ALS/MND and the Challenge by sharing the videos our network of members post on social media. We have also created anIce Bucket Challenge landing pageto share information and resources with you.
• Participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge:This summer, dump a bucket of ice water over your head on behalf of your association and encourage the people in your community to do the same, sharing your videos and the Ice Bucket Challenge on social media with the hashtags: #ALSIceBucketChallenge, #MND IceBucketChallenge,#EveryAugustUntilACure, #ALSMNDWithoutBorders
• Collaborate with influencers:Identify influencers or prominent figures within your community who can champion the cause. Their involvement can significantly enhance the reach and impact of our collective efforts.
• Encourage fundraising:Encourage your community to not only take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge but also contribute to fundraising efforts. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to a future without this devastating disease.

Alliance Member Video

To celebrate Global ALS/MND Awareness Day, in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge, we are creating a video compilation of our members taking the Ice Bucket Challenge, and we hope you’ll be a part of it. Our concept is the Ice Bucket Challenge travelling around the world, spreading HOPE!

Please send your videos to our head of communications, Lynne Yryku, at lynne.yryku@als-mnd.orgby Friday, May 24.

Here’s what we’re looking for in your video:

• Length: Please limit your video to a maximum of one minute but preferably 30 seconds.
• Action: The main action of the video should involve a representative of your organization taking the bucket from the right side of the camera, and dumping the water on themselves or a group. Afterward, pass the bucket to the left side of the camera. (Note that we may not be able use this opening and closing for every video, depending on the number of videos and length of content we receive.)
• Clothing: Wear clothing that indicates your association or country, whether it’s through colours, logos, or other identifiers.
• Background: Consider choosing an interesting background for your video, as it will be featured. This could add depth and variety to our compilation. If appropriate and reasonable, you could consider a background that reflects your country.
• Quality: Please submit high-resolution videos.
• Audio: While cries from being doused with cold water and background noise is acceptable, there’s no need for specific talking in the video.
• Orientation: Please use a horizontal view for filming.

Please seesample videos here.

We will also include captions identifying your organization and country.

Resources

We have created a series of Ice Bucket Challenge logos and social media graphics that can be adapted for use worldwide. Please feel free to share, edit, and download these images for use in your country. These logos are available in several colours and styles, and with the words ALS or MND depending on your region. There are also editable files of the logos that can be adapted for other languages or with your association’s logo.

• Ice Bucket Challenge logos
• Ice Bucket Challenge social media graphics (JPG files)
• Ice Bucket Challenge social media graphics (Canva templates)

We also held member meetings on February 27 and May 2 to discuss the International Alliance’s Ice Bucket Challenge campaign. In case you missed them:

• February 27 Meeting: Watch the recording & see the PPT presentation
• May 2 Meeting: Watch the recording

• One of the things that came up from members was that they do not want to be seen as wasting water. There were a number of ideas suggested including glitter, confetti, origami paper ice cubes and flowers. In these sample contribution videos, we’re showing you what we are looking for in your submissions using dandelions, which are plentiful in Ontario, Canada, at this time of the year.

Resources mentioned in the member meeting:

• International Alliance video (Feb 7, 2015): Alliance Members: Ice Bucket Challenge Milestones
• Presentation by Dr. David Taylor (August 10, 2017): Ice Bucket-iology
• Report from the ALS Association (June 4, 2019): Ice Bucket Challenge dramatically accelerated the fight against ALS
• National Geographic article (June 23, 2023): A decade later: How the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made a lasting impact

Together, We Can Make Waves

Let’s use this milestone anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to a world free from ALS/MND and honour the spirit of resilience and collaboration that defines the Alliance. Together, we can bring hope to individuals and families affected by ALS/MND.