Stephen Hawking Reminds Everyone What Ice Bucket Challenge is All About

For Stephen Hawking, the Ice Bucket Challenge has a grander importance.

Stephen Hawking Photo via Youtube

The renowned author and physicist was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21, and is nearly paralyzed as a result of living with the disease. Though he wanted to participate in the challenge, he explained in the video that it would not be in his best interest to douse himself with cold water after developing pneumonia this last year. Instead, his children graciously decided to take the plunge for him.

In the video, Hawking urged viewers to shift their focus to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and donate to the cause. Watch below:



The Ice Bucket Challenge has raised $31.5 million in total for the ALS Association.

The charity revealed on Wednesday 20th of August, that it had received $31.5 million in total.

Barbara Newhouse, the nonprofit organization's president, said she hopes the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge is a "game-changer" in the fight against the degenerative disease.

According to Mashable, the ALS Association has already awarded $3.5 million in research grants to find treatments and a cure for ALS.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush, NBA legend Michael Jordan, and singers Katy Perry and Rita Ora have all recently uploaded Ice Bucket Challenge videos to YouTube.

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