'Ice Bucket Challenge' Funds Spike To $94.3 Million
BOSTON (CBS) – Ice Bucket Challenge donation totals continue to rise as the ALS Association president announced Wednesday that the viral fundraising campaign is responsible for raising more than $94 million in just over one month.
The ALS Association said it received $94.3 million between July 29 and August 27. In total, 2.1 million new donors have contributed.
In 2013 during the same time period, the ALS Association received $2.7 million in donations.
"The ALS Association has been given a great deal of money and with that comes tremendous responsibility,"ALS Association president and CEO Barbara Newhouse said in a statement.
"We are absolutely committed to transparency and will be communicating regularly with the ALS community, our donors, the media and the public about progress to invest these dollars wisely in areas that will have maximum impact on the fight against this devastating disease."
The Ice Bucket Challenge gained traction on social media this summer due in large part to the efforts of former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012.
Facebook statistics show that Boston is the epicenter of the worldwide campaign.
When taking part in the challenge, users post a video of themselves pouring a bucket of ice water over their head to social media. Participants then make a donation to charity and challenge others to do the duplicate the task.
Newhouse said the ALS Association is "tremendously thankful" for the financial support and awareness the Ice Bucket Challenge has raised throughout the summer.
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