What do former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, pop star Justin Timberlake, San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle and actor Robert Downey Jr. have in common?
They're all part of the latest viral sensation taking over the Internet: the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
The challenge itself is simple. Challenge three people to donate $100 to The ALS Association or have a bucket of ice water dumped on their head; then usually you get ice water dumped on your head. (It also helps if you record it and post it on Twitter, Facebook, Vine, YouTube, Instagram or whatever social media platform you like and tag it with #icebucketchallenge, #alsicebucketchallenge or #strikeoutals.)
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is ofter referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually leading to death.
Donations to ALS groups nationwide are booming. Steve Becvar, executive director of the ALS Association's San Diego chapter, said the challenge has led to 310,000 donors as of Monday who have pledged $15.6 million, a 64 percent increase in pledges since Friday.
Check out some of the #icebucketchallenge videos below. If you've done one, send us a link on Twitter @KPBSNews.
