Ice Bucket Challenge passes $1 mln mark in China  

冰桶挑战两周募814万元 支持渐冻人群体有550余万

从8月17日，“冰桶挑战“进入中国，并迅速成为社会热点。这一活动旨在关注渐冻人这一罕见病群体，截至8月30日24时，“冰桶挑战”专项基金共收到捐款8146258.19元，其中捐赠意向为支持渐冻人群体的有550余万元。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- The viral "Ice Bucket Challenge" craze has raised more than 8.14 million yuan ($1.33 million) in China after sweeping the country following its debut two weeks ago, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

The China-Dolls Center for Rare Disorders and Support Association, organizer of the challenge in China, disclosed the number at a press conference on Sunday and promised financial transparency.

Tian He, a regulatory committee member under the association, said 5.5 million yuan ($895,663) of the total donation would be used on welfare projects to help people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in accordance with donor wishes.

Open bidding and evaluation will be adopted before utilizing the donation, he commented, adding that bids for the first batch of welfare projects will start in three days.

A hotline is likely to be launched to provide psychological counseling for patients, Tian added.

Wang Yiou, association founder, said the aim was to raise awareness on the disease in an attempt that has proven successful.

The disease ranks among the five most serious ailments in the world, along with AIDS and cancer, for which doctors have no cure. Patients have to rely on medication and physical treatment to relieve symptoms.