The #IceBucketChallenge is uniting Americans across party lines in an effort to #StrikeOutALS.
That’s right. The viral posts you’re seeing across social media platforms aren’t of folks looking for refuge from the warm summer sun.
Rather, they’re dousing themselves with buckets of ice — and capturing the humiliation on camera — in an effort to raise awareness about ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the ALS Association defines ALS as “a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.”
Those who don’t accept the infamous ALS Ice Bucket Challenge are responsible for donating to an ALS charity of their choice. As of Tuesday, The ALS Association reported earning $22.9 million in donations since July 29 — a year-to-date increase of $21 million.
The msnbc hosts who have thus far taken the plunge include: Rachel Maddow, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, and Andrea Mitchell. Who will be next?
Date: June 30
Challenged by: Fox News’ Shepard Smith
Who she challenged: Paul Rieckhoff, Bill Dwight and Liz Cheney
.@maddow accepts @ShepNewsTeam's challenge, gets soaked with bucket of ice water for charity: http://t.co/4gzxhtchlS pic.twitter.com/LQoqq8G6WJ
— msnbc (@msnbc) July 31, 2014Date: August 10
Challenged by: Weekend TODAY Co-Host Erica Hill
Who he challenged: Manny Machado, Rachael Ray and Gavin Newsom
#IceBucketChallenge before & after. @EricaRHill @DylanDreyerNBC @JennaWolfe @LesterHoltNBC @ThomasARoberts @stephgosk pic.twitter.com/Tswh8niucs
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 10, 2014Date: August 13
Challenged by: Telemundo Noticiero Co-Host Maria Celeste
Who he challenged: Diego Schoening, Rafael Amaya and Sofia Vergara
Jose undertook “the first bilingual ice bucket challenge in history” in honor of his father-in-law Chuck Brown, who died of ALS.
4-5. Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski
Date: August 14
Challenged by: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (Joe), Joe Scarborough (Mika)
Who he challenged: Carole King, Lyle Lovett and Mika
Who she challenged: Mark and Ian Brzezinski and Bradley Cooper
“I want to thank them for supporting a great cause,” Jindal said. “I think we should start dunking members of Congress every time they say something stupid on your show.”
Date: August 19
Challenged by: DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz
Who she challenged: Chuck Todd, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry
Andrea was splashed by husband Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, on the lawn of the NBC News Bureau in Washington.
Thanks, @DWStweets! http://t.co/cKbqJbY8n5 I nominate @chucktodd @HillaryClinton @JohnKerry… #ALSIceBucketChallenge pic.twitter.com/80uTTwmdaQ
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) August 19, 20147. Krystal Ball
Date: August 20
Challenged by: Her daughter, Ella
Who she challenged: Her Cycle Co-Hosts Abby Huntsman and Toure and UP Host Steve Kornacki
Date: August 22
Challenged by: Her Cycle Co-Host, Krystal Ball
Who she challenged: Her father, former Ambassador John Huntsman
9. Toure
Date: August 22
Challenged by: His Cycle Co-Host, Krystal Ball
Who he challenged: msnbc Hosts Joy Reid and Melissa Harris-Perry
10. Ronan Farrow
Date: August 22
Challenged by: Nicholas Kristoff
Who he challenged: Mandy Moore and Madeleine Albright
Hey, @NickKristof — ALS #icebucketchallenge accepted. Find out who I nominated on tomorrow's show. Brrr… towel? pic.twitter.com/X9nm3ElQqL
— Team Ronan Daily (@RonanDaily) August 21, 2014The ALS Ice Bucket challenge was started by Pete Frates, 29, a former D-1 athlete who played baseball for Boston College. The ALS Association notes that Frates has lived with ALS since 2012 and “tirelessly spreads awareness of Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
Joseph Neese