In 2014 the Ice Bucket Challenge appeared and seemed mainly to be on social media. It was created to generate donations for ALS research. Over $115 million has been raise from this project alone. More than 17 million videos were uploaded.
Scientists had identified a new gene, NEK1, that contributes to the disease. This new gene will allow for gene analysis to create gene therapy to help treat this disease.
Ice Bucket Challenge funds gene discovery in ALS (MND) research – BBC News