Zee Media Bureau
New York: Philanthropist Corey Griffin, who co-founded the popular Ice Bucket challenge, has died from drowning, American media reported on Wednesday.
The "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge" involves dumping a bucket of ice over one’s head and aims to raise funds for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Griffin, 27, drowned after he jumped off the terrace of a two-story building into the harbour in Nantucket, an island off Massachussetts, the Boston Globe reported.
Griffin`s role was key in making the ice bucket challenge go viral on the Internet.
Since June, several thousand people worldwide have recorded themselves getting drenched, then posted the stunt online and challenged others to do the same, or pledge USD 100 to ALS research.
Many have done both, in an effort to raise millions of dollars for the ALS Association, which combats amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig`s disease.
Among those who have taken the challenge include Steven Spielberg, Justin Bieber, Bill Gates, George W Bush, Mark Zuckerberg, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, David Beckham, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
