ALS Awareness and Ice Bucket Challenge

Questions and Answers

What criticism did some people have regarding the funding raised from the Ice Bucket Challenge?

It primarily supported research for ALS, a rare disease. (correct)

It was ineffective at raising awareness.

It diverted attention from more prevalent health crises. (correct)

It did not engage enough people in the community.

How did the Ice Bucket Challenge primarily benefit organizations researching ALS?

By attracting governmental support for ALS research.

By creating a viral trend that also raised funds. (correct)

By promoting direct medical assistance to patients.

By focusing solely on local communities.

What was the primary goal of Pete Frates in initiating the Ice Bucket Challenge?

To entertain social media users

To promote social media engagement

To challenge people to dare each other

To raise awareness and funds for ALS research (correct)

What aspect of the Ice Bucket Challenge contributed to its success in engaging people?

The fun and simplicity of the activity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statistics reflects the impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge on social media?

More than 2.4 million videos shared on Facebook Signup and view all the answers

What criticism was levied against the Ice Bucket Challenge?

Participants focused more on the fun rather than the cause Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Ice Bucket Challenge according to participants?

It fostered a sense of community and connection. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Ice Bucket Challenge videos posted on Facebook resulted in monetary donations?

21 percent Signup and view all the answers

What was the life expectancy after a diagnosis of ALS?

Two to five years Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main activities participants did as part of the Ice Bucket Challenge?

Dumping a bucket of icy water over their heads Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

ALS and Pete Frates

Pete Frates, a former college athlete, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2012, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ALS is a rare neurodegenerative disease that impairs movement, speech, and breathing, with a life expectancy of two to five years post-diagnosis.

Ice Bucket Challenge Initiative

Frates aimed to raise awareness and funds for ALS research through a viral campaign: the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Participants film themselves dumping icy water over their heads, post the video on social media, and challenge friends to do the same or donate $100 to ALS research within 24 hours.

Over 2.4 million Ice Bucket Challenge videos were shared on Facebook, reaching an audience of more than 400 million and generating over 10 million views.
More than 2.3 million videos were uploaded on YouTube related to the challenge.
Twitter saw over 2.2 million mentions of the Ice Bucket Challenge, showing widespread engagement across multiple platforms.

Fundraising Success

The challenge raised $100 million in donations within a single month, significantly exceeding expectations for ALS research funding.
Community participation included families, friends, schools, and companies joining the challenge collectively, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

Criticism of the Challenge

Some critics argued the challenge emphasized fun over charity, with many videos failing to mention ALS or its importance.
Concerns arose that it became a platform for self-promotion rather than genuine charitable efforts, with suggestions to simply donate without participating in the challenge.
Critics also proposed that donations could have been better directed towards more pressing global health issues such as the Ebola crisis in West Africa.

Positive Outcomes and Community Engagement

Advocates for the challenge praised its ability to increase ALS awareness and generate vital research funding.
The Ice Bucket Challenge facilitated community connection through collective action and its entertaining nature encouraged participation.
A study found that 21% of videos posted on Facebook resulted in financial donations, highlighting the effectiveness of social media in mobilizing support for charitable causes.

Description

This quiz explores the impactful story of Pete Frates, a former college athlete diagnosed with ALS, and his efforts to raise awareness through the Ice Bucket Challenge. Discover the details of ALS, its effects, and the viral initiative that helped fund research for the disease.