The Ice Bucket Challenge, which first took the internet by storm in 2014, has made an unexpected comeback. Originally launched to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the campaign was hugely successful, generating over $115 million in donations. Today, however, the viral trend has been revived by students at the University of South Carolina, but this time it is being used to spotlight mental health issues — and not everyone is pleased.
The Origins of the Ice Bucket Challenge
In its original form, the Ice Bucket Challenge called on participants to pour freezing cold water over their heads, post a video of it online, and nominate others to do the same. It was all for a serious cause: to promote awareness of ALS, a progressive neurological disease that gradually paralyzes the body by attacking nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Participants ranged from everyday people to celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates. The simple act of dumping ice water became a symbol of solidarity with ALS patients, bringing much-needed attention to a disease that had remained relatively underfunded and under-researched for decades.
The New Campaign and Its Controversy
More than a decade later, students at the University of South Carolina decided to bring the challenge back, but with a different mission: raising mental health awareness among young people. Although the students had good intentions, many within the ALS community feel that the original purpose of the Ice Bucket Challenge is being overlooked or erased altogether. ALS advocate and influencer Brooke Eby, who was diagnosed with ALS at 33, voiced her concern on social media. She explained that while supporting mental health is crucial, rebranding the Ice Bucket Challenge without acknowledging its roots undermines the struggles of ALS patients and the legacy built over the years.
Why the ALS Community Is Upset
The ALS Association, as well as many individuals who have lost loved ones to ALS or are living with the disease themselves, view the Ice Bucket Challenge as a significant milestone in the history of ALS advocacy. By repurposing the challenge without proper recognition of its origins, they argue, the awareness for ALS may fade into the background. ALS is a devastating illness with no known cure and a short life expectancy — typically three to five years after diagnosis. Public awareness and fundraising efforts like the original Ice Bucket Challenge have been vital in funding research and supporting patients. Many feel that diluting the association between the challenge and ALS threatens future fundraising efforts and the general public’s understanding of the disease.
Calls for Respect and Acknowledgement
In response to the controversy, members of the ALS community are urging the new generation of Ice Bucket Challenge participants to honor the campaign’s original purpose. They are calling for educational efforts that explain the challenge’s historical roots, even if the focus is expanded to include mental health. Some have suggested that students can continue their mental health campaign but should clearly state that the idea is inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Acknowledging the past ensures that both causes — ALS and mental health — can benefit without one overshadowing the other.
Moving Forward: Can the Two Causes Coexist?
There is hope that the reemergence of the Ice Bucket Challenge can serve as an opportunity for broader advocacy rather than division. If approached thoughtfully, raising awareness for mental health while still educating people about ALS could create a powerful message of solidarity, compassion, and action.
The Ice Bucket Challenge changed the world once before — perhaps, with the right respect and recognition, it can continue to do so for multiple causes.
