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Harry Potter and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

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From your best friend to family members to your favorite Harry Potter film series alumni, everyone is getting in on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to help raise funds and awareness for a great cause.

ALS stands for “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis” and is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The disease is progressively degenerative and directly affects the nerve cells, particularly motor neurons, in the brain and spinal cord that send impulses to muscle fibers throughout the body to stimulate and control muscle movement. This includes muscles used to eat, speak, and breathe. When these neurons degenerate or die, the body begins to shut down, leading to paralysis and death in the later stages of the disease.

Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment that exists today that can stop the disease or reverse its effects, but as with any disease, there are people out there searching for a cure and developing therapies that can help manage symptoms. To learn more about ALS, visit the ALS Association website.

As for the challenge itself, you have three options to participate should you be nominated. You can accept the challenge, donate $100 to the ALSA, or do both. Once nominated, you have 24 hours to make your choice – and people are. According to the latest news on the ALSA website, donations from the challenge have raised a whopping $70.2 million. Check out some of the entertaining videos below.

A few MuggleNet staff members accepted their challenges, some donating the full $100 in lieu of the bucket and others proudly posted videos to social media:

Senior contributing editor Caleb Graves:

 

 

Social Media Team member Erin Meehan:

 

 

Managing editor Keith Hawk:

 

 

Hogwarts Radio host and senior data analyst Terrance Pinkston, Jr., who nominated MuggleNet founder Emerson Spartz and senior editor Eric Scull:

 

 

Senior editor Eril Scull:

 

Post by Eric Scull.

 

Creative & marketing director Kat Miller, who also donated $100:

 

 

Journalist Toni Louise Cooper:

 

 

Content Team member Alexandra Maher:

 

 

Sean Biggerstaff (Oliver Wood):

 

 

Rob Pattinson (Cedric Diggory) via his friend Zac Efron:

 

 

Verne Troyer (Griphook in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone):

 

 

Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange):

 

 

Oliver Phelps (George Weasley):

 

ALS #icebucketchallenge accepted #Ruben Suarez. I nominate @lsmite @iantaylor7 & @dannyclayton or donate to www.alsa.org

A video posted by oliver_phelps (@oliver_phelps) on

 

James Phelps (Fred Weasley):

 

 

Jon Campling (a Death Eater in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2):

 

 

Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick/Griphook), who nominated Tom Felton:

 

 

Tom Felton, who nominated Rupert Grint:

 

@thehodgie @minetree @thecharlesbaker #donated

A video posted by Tom Felton (@t22felton) on

 

@joshbgordon @minetree @thehodgie @thecharlesbaker

A video posted by Tom Felton (@t22felton) on

 

Matthew Lewis, who nominated Tom Felton again:

 

 

Lee Ingleby (Stan Shunpike):

 

 

Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas):

 

 

Evanna Lynch, who nominated Katie Leung (Cho Chang) and Robbie Jarvis (teenage James Potter):

 

 

Katie Leung (Cho Chang):

 

 

Natalia Tena (Nymphadora Tonks):

 

 

It may be some time before we see Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley) complete his challenge since he’s ill, but he is determined to do it. Get better soon, Chris!

 

 

Toby Regbo (young Albus Dumbledore):

 

 

Daniel Radcliffe:

 

 

Have you accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge? Make sure to post your videos on social media using #ALSIceBucketChallenge, #IceBucketChallenge, or #StrikeOutALS, and don’t forget, you can donate directly to ALSA!