It is believed the challenge was started by Chris Kennedy, a golfer in Sarasota, Florida, who was nominated by a friend to compete in the Ice Bucket Challenge, which at the time had nothing to do with ALS. The campaign was not tied to any specific charity back then and participants were free to select a charity of their choice for donations. Kennedy's friend had selected a charity that supported a young child with cancer. Kennedy, passing the challenge along, then selected ALS because a relative was suffering from the disease.