ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: Sonakshi Sinha takes the challenge without being nominated

After Hansika Motwani, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha took up the ALS ice bucket challenge, that too, without being nominated by anyone. What's more? The actress took a step ahead and twisted the rules of the challenge. Instead of ice-cold water, the video she uploaded on Facebook, shows a single, tiny ice cube falling over her head. Further, she urged her fans and others, who would take up the challenge, to save water and instead donate.

'Nobody nominated me. But i still took the challenge. And now i nominate you ALL to do what i just did. If you've already showered, skip the ice water. If you havent, go ahead by all means. BUT please Go to www.als.org to donate,' the actress posted on her official FB account.

Video source: youtube.com

The Ice Bucket Challenge saw people donate $7.3 overnight and total donations have reached a total of $22.9 million, 12 times the amount raised last year according to the ALS Association!

So why are they doing it?

Well the challenge involves pouring a bucket a bucket of cold ice water over their heads to raise awareness and fight ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's disease. The challenge is simple, pour ice-cold water over your head and then challenge someone else to do it. The person challenged has to do so within 24 hours or donate $100 to fight ALS. Even if a person completes the challenge, they're welcome to donate the money.

What is ALS?

'ALS is a disease of the nervous system that affects the motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord,' says Dr Sudhir Kumar, senior consultant neurologist, Institute of Neurosciences, Hyderabad. These motor neurons carry signals from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. 'The disease is progressive in nature, which means once it starts it affects all body parts and ultimately causes complete loss of muscle movement and co-ordination. There is absolutely no hope of improvement in ALS and in the later stages the patient loses the ability to grab things, speak or even move any body part,' he explains.

How did the challenge start?

The ALS Association credits Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player for making the challenge popular. He's been living with the disease since 2012, and it has become a phenomenon since Frates took the challenge at the end of last month. Read more about ALS causes, diagnosis, symptoms and diagnosis.

Image source: Youtube.com

You may also like to read:

• Oprah Winfrey takes ice bucket challenge
• Ice Bucket Challenge: Why are Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Triple H and Justin Timberlake pouring cold water over their heads?
• Ice Bucket Challenge: Cristiano Ronaldo and Sheldon Cooper take the plunge

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