Actors, Rappers, Singers, Students and Athletes alike are all getting in on the Ice Bucket Challenge to bring awareness to the ALS disease. But how did this trend start? Watch this emotional video and find out!

The article on ESPN writes:

"Today, Frates, 29, the former Boston College baseball star and inspiration behind the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, has lost his voice to the ravages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. But thanks to the power of social media, Frates now has thousands of voices speaking on his behalf. Each ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video posted to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or dozens of other websites brings another voice to the cause, continually raising awareness of this devastating disease."

YouTube: Petes Challenge
YouTube: Petes Challenge
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Pete Frates was diagnosed with ALS and immediately went to work to fight it. He went around the Country speaking to anyone who would listen. But it wasn't until he heard about the Ice Bucket Challenge, where people would pour a bucket of ice water on themselves to raise awareness about a charity, that he got the biggest audience. He decided to go on Facebook and challenge his friends to do the challenge in his honor and tell the world about ALS. It worked!

#ALSIceBucketChallenge is trending on Twitter everyday and as of 7pm Aug 19th $22.9 Million has been donated to the ALS Association!!!

On Monday (8/25) at 1pm, join ya girl Jazzy T in Lafayette Square as #TeamWBLK takes on the ice bucket challenge in Pete Frates honor!!

Quick Facts about ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. When these cells die, voluntary muscle control and movement dies with them. Patients in the later stages of the disease are totally paralyzed, yet in most cases, their minds remain sharp and alert.

Every day, an average of 15 people are newly diagnosed with ALS — more than 5,600 people per year. As many as 30,000 Americans may currently be affected by ALS. Annually, ALS is responsible for two deaths per 100,000 people.

The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from time of diagnosis. With recent advances in research and improved medical care, many patients are living longer, more productive lives. Half of all those affected live at least three years or more after diagnosis. About 20 percent live five years or more, and up to ten percent will survive more than ten years.

ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. ALS can strike anyone. Every single American is threatened by this disease.

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