In 2014, you couldn’t scroll on social media without seeing videos of people participating in the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” More than a decade ago, the challenge was created to bring awareness to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The fatal degenerative disorder takes the lives of thousands of people each year. It proved highly successful in terms of raising awareness and money, so a group of students from the University of South Carolina decided to retool it.
Videos by InspireMore
This year, the Ice Bucket Challenge is raising money for mental health awareness via the non-profit Active Minds. The Today Show crew chose to get in on the fun.
Jenna Bush Hager Is A Two-Time Ice Bucket Challenge Participant
Jenna Bush Hager, the host of Jenna and Friends on the Today Show, participated in the original Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 and again this year. Live on TV, she got soaked by Today anchor Craig Melvin.
It was a memorable moment, and Jenna was sure to get Savannah Guthrie and Carson Daly later in the show. Their participation got a lot of attention. Some loved seeing the new Ice Bucket Challenge, but others were not big fans.
One person wrote, “As a daughter who lost her father to ALS the spring before the original ice bucket challenge, I resent it being appropriated for a different cause. Not saying mental health isn’t a huge concern, but guess what, ALS is still 100% fatal. It hasn’t been ‘cured.'”
This person agreed, “Remember why this challenge was started, and we are still no further along. Please do these challenges for ALS where it all began.”
But others were glad to Jenna raising awareness for a good cause.
One wrote, “I saw the challenge, and it’s taking over Instagram like crazy. Wow.”
Another agreed “You are so amazing Jenna. Down to earth!”
This story’s featured image is by Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images.
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