Were you one of the 17 million people who threw a tub of ice water on themselves during the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014? Then you have not been left out in the cold for nothing: thanks to this enormous hype, a new ALS drug has recently been approved.
The drug does not cure the deadly nerve/muscle disease, but it does slow down its effects. “This drug has dramatically accelerated the fight against ALS,” the ALS Association said.
Like a wildfire
The gigantic hype started on July 15, 2014 with the American Chris Kennedy. He decided to throw a bowl of ice water over his head to draw attention to ALS and encourage people to donate. The video came online, Chris’ friends followed and not much later the action spread like wildfire around the world. Not surprising, because each participant had to nominate three people who had to do the same within 24 hours. From Mark Zuckerberg and Justin Bieber to Bill Gates: the most famous names were tempted to take an ice cold shower.
The result? A whopping $115 million. This huge amount has sponsored 130 research projects in 12 different countries, according to the ALS Association. Forty potential drugs are now in development and one of them has now been approved by the FDA, the United States’ medical watchdog.
Ice Bucket Challenge in Nederland
In the Netherlands, about 100,000 people took part in the campaign in 2014. Together they raised about two million euros. About 80 percent of this is invested in research. 20 percent have gone to patients now suffering from ALS, with the aim of keeping their quality of life as high as possible.
Bizarre trend: de ‘Hot Water Challenge’
Seen a mistake? Mail us. We are grateful to you.
Respond to article:
That’s what you do it for: new ALS drug approved thanks to Ice Bucket Challenge