U STREET: “Every August Until A Cure - Ice Bucket Challenge” at VIDA Fitness’ Penthouse Pool Club - Oh What Fun for a Great Cause

This August the Ice Bucket Challenge made a big comeback, especially since last year’s viral video phenomenon raised millions for ALS research and is responsible for discovering major breakthroughs for the disease. This summer, the Ice Bucket Challenge co-founders Pete Frates and Pat Quinn have reignited the campaign with Every August Until A Cure Ice Bucket Challenge— an new annual one-month fundraising initiative to take place every August — and DC’s VIDA Fitness took part earlier today at its Penthouse Pool Club on U Street.

Last year, Washington-area resident Andrea Peet was diagnosed with ALS at 33 and challenged VIDA Fitness members and staff for the August challenge. Today staff from all VIDA locations congregated at VIDA on U Street to meet the challenge.

Andrea Peet lays down the Challenge

VIDA enthusiastically accepted the task and mobilized 17 of its staff members to a group ice bucket dumping and encouraged its members to donate the ALS Foundation. Last year, more than 17 million ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos were posted to Facebook and these videos were watched by 440 million people a total of 10 billion times. 

More than $220 million was raised globally with $115 million going to The ALS Association, which is putting these dollars to work funding exciting new initiatives to find treatments and a cure for the disease through research, care services and public policy. 

To read more about progress since last year, visit www.ALSA.org/progress or place a $10 donation, text ‘ALS’ to 80077.