The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has taken over social media, but do you know what ALS is or why you are dumping ice water over your head?

“I feel like the ice bucket challenge started out with good intentions and now it doesn’t mean as much. People do not know what they’re doing it for and now it doesn’t spread as much awareness. People are doing it for likes, rather than doing it for charity,” sophomore Leah Egan said.

ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that alters nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It affects all nerve cells and leads to complete paralysis of the body, which senior Olivia DiCampo’s grandmother suffers from.

“It took away her ability to walk, and she has slurred speech,” DiCampo said. “It’s also hard for her to swallow. Soon she will have to be fed through a feeding tube.”

Right now DiCampo’s grandmother is one of over 30 thousand people diagnosed with ALS. Once diagnosed, the life expectancy ranges from 2-5 years.

“It was the most life changing experience to participate in this because I felt like I was doing something that was so fun for such a good cause. It was so fun and it felt good to help with the charity,” junior Jack Synder said.

The social media phenomenon began when 29-year-old Pete Frates posted his video of his challenge on facebook. Frates played baseball at Boston College until he was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2012 at the age of 27. With the help of his friend Corey Griffin, he has raised awareness about the disease all across the world with the creation of the challenge. As of Wednesday, Aug. 20, the ALS Association has received a total of $31.5 million in donations.

“It’s great that it’s spreading awareness, and it’s gaining lots of money,” DiCampo said.

As of right now there is no cure to this disease, but continuing to raise money for the cause will help doctors and researchers discover more information about the fatality of the disease.

To donate to the ALS Association, click here.