Ice Bucket Challenge splashes CHCH

It’s an icy initiative that seems to be everywhere. The ice bucket challenge has become an online phenomenon that’s helping raise awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. People all over the world have accepted the challenge.

The ice bucket challenge involves dumping a pail of ice cold water over your head and then challenging three other people to do it within 24 hours. If you can’t warm up to the idea, then you have to pay the ALS Society $100.

Stars such as Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake have accepted the challenge, as did billionaire Bill Gates. Toronto mayor Rob Ford took part too.

All to raise awareness and money for ALS, a progressive, neuro-degenerative disease that leads to muscle weakness, loss of the use of your arms and legs and difficulty breathing and swallowing. There’s no cure.

The challenge began when former Boston College baseball captain Pete Frates was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 at just 27 years old. Frates is now confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak. He took the challege a few days ago.

There has been a tidal wave of donations. $4.4 million was raised in the U.S. in two weeks. In Canada, $50,000 was raised in the last week alone.

Frates is married and his wife is 8 months pregnant. The family has set up a fund to help her when he is gone.

For more information on the Ice Bucket Challenge, visit the ALS Canada website.