Ice bucket challenge could be good for charities

Many people are pouring a bucket of ice-cold water on their heads for charity for the Ice Bucket Challenge. This is a viral campaign on social networking sites. They either dump icy water over themselves or donate $100 to ALS charities. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – also known as motor neurone disease (MND) – makes it difficult to speak, swallow and breathe. Over 1.1 million donors have donated over $53 million in two weeks.

The campaign raises awareness and funds. People like to post selfies online, while helping charity. A media studies professor said: "You get the message directly from friends and acquaintances. It kind of appeals to the same side of people that wants to post a selfie." Barack Obama did not do the challenge but said he would donate instead. People with ALS usually die from respiratory failure within five years of getting the disease.