WATCH: Celebrities raise money for ALS with ice bucket challenges

TORONTO- A challenge to take an ice cold shower to raise funds for ALS research is  gaining international attention and raising millions of dollars.

The challenge dares people to pour ice cold water on themselves with a goal of raising money for ALS – $1.35 million has been raised since July 29.

After completing the feat, participants nominate one or more of their friends who must then do the challenge within 24 hours and pass on the nomination.

The most grandiose participant to date might be NHL forward Paul Bissonnette who paid for a helicopter to gather glacier water and pour it on him while he stood on a mountain top.

Several celebrities and professional athletes have participated in the challenge including Dion Phaneuf and his teammates from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Other celebrities include Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake and Mark Zuckerberg.

ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

The challenge was started in Massachusetts where a man who was diagnosed with ALS posted the initial video, challenging Boston athletes to participate.