CEOS, Everyday People Help #IceBucketChallenge Raise Millions

Hashtag activism.

That term has gotten the nation talking on social media In two very different cases over the last week.

But in a lighter case, social media has raised more than $7 million for ALS, courtesy of the #IceBucketChallenge.

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ALS is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The ice bucket challenge craze began a little over a week ago. Facebook has been littered with short videos clips of people dumping ice water on themselves, nominating others to follow suit and then donating $100 (or what you have) to the ALS Association.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

Mark Zuckerburg, CEO of Facebook

Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter

As of Thursday, August 14, ALS has $7.6 million in donation over this time period, about a 600 percent increase over the same time period in 2013.

"We are grateful to the several families in New York and Boston who reenergized the Ice Bucket Challenge around ALS—moving the viral campaign forward," said Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The Association.

Unlike the Harlem Shake and other recently viral campaigns, this campaign has served a greater purpose.

CEOs, celebrities and everyday people have participate dint he craze -- about 150,000 donors in total. Wheher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Vine, the hashtag appears to have done its job.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft