There is an ice-cold movement afoot that is taking over Facebook news feeds across the country.
Hundreds of viral videos under the hashtag “#icebucketchallenge” are being recorded to raise awareness of a very serious disease: ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The movement started with Boston College alumnus Pete Frates, the former captain of the BC baseball team. In 2012 Frates was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, a debilitating muscular neurodegenerative disease which comes with a life expectancy of only 2 to 5 years.
Frates and a friend decided to use the ice bucket challenge to raise money for ALS research and to promote awareness of the deadly disease. Soon after, a symphony of Boston College students followed suit.
The idea is simple: fill a bucket with ice and water, then dump it on your head to #strikeoutALS and nominate others to do the same.
The challenge has taken off with pro-athletes such as Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and Bruins ice hockey player Brad Marchand participating.
On Tuesday, FOX CT’s Louisa Moller, another Boston College alumnus, also participated in the challenge on live television and called on BC football phenom, Doug Flutie, to follow suit.
To find out more about the ice bucket challenge, Pete Frates’ fight with AlS, and to donate, click on the links below.