So how powerful is social media today? Three weeks, $53.3 Million and counting, THAT’S how powerful. [pullquote]Social media is word of mouth on steriods.[/pullquote]
July 29, 2014 … The day Pete Frates and his family took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to their Facebook and Twitter networks. Three weeks later ALS had over $53.3 Million in donations and counting. The challenge actually didn’t start with Pete, but the vast network of this 29 year old, former stand out athlete at Boston College who was diagnosed two years ago with ALS, took on the challenge, the media caught wind, and now everyone from small children to celebrities and former presidents have taken on the challenge and donated.
Beyond the money donated and fun videos, the challenge has raised the awareness of what ALS is and why it is underfunded. In a press release by ALSA.org issued today:
“Washington, D.C. (August 22, 2014) — As of Friday, August 22, The ALS Association has received $53.3. million in donations compared to $2.2 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 21). These donations have come from existing donors and 1.1 million new donors to The Association.”
As you can imagine, there are some people (aren’t there always) that are growing sick of seeing everyone’s videos and the hashtags and the videos on the news. If you are one of those, or even if you get it already, I am going to ask you to watch one more video. Anthony Carbajal’s story is SO powerful and really exemplifies WHY this challenge is so important. I have started it at the end of the actual challenge and where his story begins. PLEASE WATCH!
For the record, I have done the challenge myself, over a week ago, AND donated. You can see the video here.
To learn more:
Follow Pete Frates‘ story. Twitter: @PeteFrates3
Follow Anthony Carbajal’s story. Twitter: @carbajalphoto