It's the chilly phenomenon sweeping the country.

Propelled by Facebook and Twitter, ice bucket challenges have become viral sensations that have been accepted by celebrities, professional athletes and the Kennedy clan. A challenge has even been issued to President Barack Obama.

On Tuesday, the biotech community jumped in, as dozens of researchers at Biogen Idec doused themselves with buckets of ice water to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.



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The challenges have been working: The national office of the ALS Association said it has received more than $3.6 million since July 29, compared with $24,700 in the same period last year. Association-wide, including national and chapter revenue, it has received $5.7 million in donations, compared to $1.2 million during a year ago.

Nearly 107,000 new donors have given money to the association since the challenge began.



"This is the most visibility ALS has ever received and the fundraising response is completely, 100 percent unprecedented," Carrie Munk, a spokeswoman for the association, said in an email.

