With the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on the rise and hundreds joining each day, critically thinking about the challenge before participating is crucial.

The challenge consists of pouring a bucket of ice cold water over your head, then naming a few other people to do the same in less than 24 hours, or donating money to the ALS Association for research to find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which leads to loss of voluntary muscle control.

After its start in June, the challenge has reached thousands across the globe, including former president George W. Bush, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey.

As Facebook and Instagram feeds continue to fill with families, friends and teammates being doused in cold water, it is showing no sign of stopping.

On Monday, the ALS Association announced that the challenge has raised $79.7 million for research against the disease so far.

While searching for a cure for the debilitating ALS is an honorable mission, participants should investigate the association before giving money.

According to an article on the Christian Post website, a Christian news network, the ALS Association uses animals for experiments.

The website also said the association uses embryos in its research.

Other skeptical investigators claim the association’s research on ALS is only receiving one third of the donations.

The association has denied the claims, but have raised the question: where is all the money going?

For people battling the disease today, a variety of methods are used to keep their muscles from rapidly deteriorating, all of which drive medical bills through the roof for families.

Instead of giving to a large foundation, participants can challenge one another to donate to a specific hospital, or family, to cover costs of home-based, 24-hour care.

We are not telling you to keep from donating or to stop participating in the ice bucket challenge, even if the videos are becoming repetitive, but to evaluate where the money is going before clicking the transfer button.

If the ALS Association’s operation does not appeal to you after doing more research, other organizations exist to fight similarly debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and could use the funds just as much.