One of the research projects funded by ice bucket challenge donations was Project MinE, a data-driven initiative supported by the ALS Association, the Guardian reports. On Monday, the project’s researchers announced that they have identified a new gene associated with the disease, which experts say could lead to new treatments being created.

“It’s very exciting because it shows everyone who contributed to the ice bucket challenge that their donation had an impact on the research,” said Brian Frederick, executive vice-president of communications and development at the ALS Association. “The work that Project MinE is doing is really important, and the discovery of this new gene will help us better understand ALS.”

The research, which was published in the journal Nature Genetics on Monday, involved more than 80 researchers in 11 countries sequencing the genomes of 15,000 people with ALS.

Frederick explained that the discovery is important “because it helps us understand what’s triggering this and can help us better find a treatment”.

So next time someone tells you that internet activism doesn’t make a long-term difference, remind them of the ice bucket challenge. When viral campaigns actually lead to donations, the results have the potential to be life-transforming.

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Did you take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge? Here's proof you made a difference