Tired Of Seeing The 'Ice Bucket Challenge' On Facebook? You Need To Read This

August 19, 2014

By now you're probably tired of seeing the "Ice Bucket Challenge" filling your social media news feeds. Over 1 million videos have been shared on Facebook with over 2 million Twitter mentions. And this is why you should still be happy to see them...

ice bucket challenge raises millions
Douglas Gorenstein/NBC

As of Tuesday, August 19, The ALS Association has received $22.9 million in donations compared to $1.9 million during the same time period last year.

There have been over 260,000 new donors, and with celebrities beginnning to join the cause over the past week, that number is expected to rise.

ice bucket challenge raises millions
Bill Gates / Martha Stewart / Mark Zuckerberg

About 30,000 Americans have ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), which attacks nerve cells and ultimately leads to total paralysis, though the mind remains sharp. Life expectancy is typically two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

THIS is what social media was born to do. So if you think the Ice Bucket Challenge is stupid, you're wrong.

*UPDATE: As of August 22, 2014: $41 million raised