Jessica Biel Just Introduced Us to the Next Ice Bucket Challenge
When the #IceBucketChallenge went viral back in 2014, it not only took over our every social media platform, with celebrities and everyday people alike being doused with freezing cold water to raise awareness for ALS, it helped to fund a major breakthrough in research of the disease. Now, Jessica Biel is the first A-lister to take part in what could be the next big Insta trend raising money for an amazing cause: the #PlungeForElodie.
Launched by a tight-knit group off 11 women who became friends in high school and have stayed close ever since, the Plunge for Elodie was inspired by a little girl named Elodie, who was born on July 15, 2016 with a rare genetic disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) — the same disease Mandy Moore, Elizabeth Olsen, and Kaley Cuoco all recently designed bracelets for in partnership with Alex and Ani.
The disease, which has no treatment or cure, causes an individuals’ skin to break and blister with heat, rubbing, scratching, or other minor injury because of missing critical proteins that normally help to bind the different layers of skin together. The only solution is to carefully apply bandages several times a day — something Elodie’s parents, Emily and Dave Kubik, are out to change… with a big dose of support from one Jessica Biel!
Taking to Instagram to celebrate her 36th birthday, the actress virtually participated in a polar plunge scheduled to take place in Massachusetts on March 3 to raise funds and awareness for EB Research Partnership.
“For my birthday I decided to donate and take the plunge for Elodie,” she wrote alongside a video of herself jumping into a pool fully clothed. “I couldn’t make the official plunge in the 40 degree water at Hingham Bathing Beach so I did the next best thing. Join us in the fight against #EpidermolysisBullosa and click the link in my bio.#plungeforElodie #healEB”
As for the real polar plunge, it went off without a hitch with the 11 “forever friends” coming together from all corners of the country to support little Elodie.
Though the event has now ended, we can TOTALLY see Biel’s version taking off with the hashtag #PlungeforElodie: We can’t wait to see which celeb will be jumping into the pool fully clothed next!
Will you take the Plunge for Elodie? Tweet us @BritandCo.
(Photos via Frazer Harrison/Getty)
