The ALS Association Extends 'Thank You' in New Video Message

Today, The ALS Association extended a sincere thank you to people who participated in this summer’s Ice Bucket Challenge with this video message.  

“It was important to us to recognize the incredible viral nature of this social media phenomenon and to thank everyone who participated in the U.S. and around the globe,” said Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association.

The first video in the montage is of Pete Frates and his family who are credited with taking the campaign viral in Massachusetts in mid-July. Other highlighted videos include celebrities, people with ALS and other individuals who were inspired to participate but may not have had a connection to the disease in the past.

The ALS Association received over $100 million within 30 days and has been busy convening key stakeholder groups to gain input as to how this money will be invested in the organization’s mission to find treatments and a cure for the disease.

These groups include the National Board of Trustees and associated committees, Board of Representatives, and executives from the Association’s 38 chapters across the country. Newhouse has personally assembled an advisory panel made up of people living with ALS and family members, all people she has met through social media or on chapter visits.

“Research and other activities that will accelerate the development of treatments and ultimately a cure for ALS will be our top funding priorities,” said Newhouse. “We have a tremendous responsibility as stewards of these donated dollars and fully understand that the public expectation is to act swiftly but with good judgment.”

The Association is incorporating feedback from these stakeholder groups into a cohesive plan, which will be voted on by the Board of Trustees in mid-October.