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If you didn't dump a bucket of ice water on your head, you probably knew someone who had, as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge spread worldwide to raise awareness and money to help those with ALS and fund research into the fatal disease.

The viral campaign started in the summer when a former Boston College athlete, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012, issued the challenge to some friends and celebrities. The challenge is to pour a bucket of ice water over yourself and then challenge others to do the same, or make a contribution to an ALS charity.

The Ice Bucket Challenge raised $16.2 million for ALS Societies across Canada, inlcuding $525,000 in Saskatchewan.

"The summer of 2014 was pretty incredible for the organization," said Lisa Pluhowy, president of the ALS Society of Saskatchewan. "Not only for public awareness and the outpouring of funds to support those that are living with the disease, but also to make a huge impact in research of the disease, which will also, in turn, trickle into other neuromuscular diseases with the research findings that we hope to find."

Pluhowy says that money will go to programs they offer to support ALS patients in Saskatchewan and their families, including an equipment loan program, support groups and a national youth retreat, and adds a large portion of the national fundraising total is being earmarked for ALS research, and is being matched dollar-for-dollar by Brain Canada.

"Sixty-five per cent of our Ice Bucket money is going directly into research," she said. "We also have an amazing partnership with Brain Canada, which also doubled our money for research."

Pluhowy adds you can still make an Ice Bucket Challenge contribution online at als.ca, or mail the ALS Society of Saskatchewan at 94C Cavendish St, Regina SK, S4N 5G7.