Why Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates took up the Ice Bucket Challenge

Tech execs and celebrities have completely taken to the challenge while President Obama politely declined

<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-80313p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Kobby Dagan</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>
Anisha Dutta Mumbai
Last Updated : Aug 22 2014 | 7:16 PM IST
A viral challenge of dumping a bucket of ice water over one’s head has taken the internet by storm as it is helping in raising awareness for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also knows as Lou Gehrig's disease.
 
Corporate honchos like Bill Gates, Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg have already posted videos of completing the challenge. Other celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake have also posted videos of the same. 
The concept of the challenge is to post the video of the participant pouring a bucket of ice water over themselves  and then challenge another person to either do the same or make a donation of $100 to the national ALS Association, an organization that combats amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
 
By doing or not doing the challenge, one is either raising awareness of the disease or donating  money.   The ALS Association has been overwhelmed by the response and have reported that donations are up by $2.8 million. 
 
While explaining the disease the ALSA's website says " Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed." 
 
Mark Zuckerberg completed the challenge and also challenged Bill Gates to take up the task. 

 


Bill Gates is shown seeing Zuckerberg nominating him for the challenge but says he wants to do it differently.

 


While other celebrities have posted simple videos of having completed the task.
 
But there are several who have refused to take up the challenge, preferring to make a donation instead. The Boston Globe reports that Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy nominated President Barack Obama to take up the challenge but he has refused. A White House spokesperson told  The Boston Globe  'The President appreciates Mrs. Kennedy thinking of him for the challenge - though his contribution to this effort will be monetary. The President will be making a donation to an ALS charity this week.'




(Video courtesy: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) 
 


Ice bucket challenge: From west to India


*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 16 2014 | 2:00 PM IST

Next Story