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Chris Johnson Revives Ice Bucket Challenge After Revealing ALS Diagnosis

Early athlete videos and public donations are channeling attention and funds to a Massachusetts General Hospital ALS research and care fund.

Overview

  • Chris Johnson publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis on Good Morning America and has since used his platform to ask for a revival of the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness and money.
  • He posted the call on Instagram after seeing a tribute video, nominated Marshawn Lynch, LenDale White and Adam “Pacman” Jones, and shared a link to a fundraiser for the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital.
  • Top former players quickly joined: Marshawn Lynch and LenDale White posted ice-bucket videos in response and White named additional nominees to keep the chain moving.
  • Johnson’s daughter Honeylove completed a family ice-bucket video and nominated her brothers and LeBron James, helping the campaign reach tens of thousands of dollars in early donations to the MGH fund.
  • The revival draws on the 2014 campaign’s precedent of large-scale social fundraising and is already increasing giving and visibility for ALS care and research while underscoring the rapid, life-changing progression of the disease that has cost Johnson his natural voice.