Selfies just raised over £1 million ($1.6 million) for cancer research in just 24 hours.
That’s thanks to Cancer Research U.K., which started asking people to post their #nomakeupselfie to Twitter on Wednesday.
We’re loving your #cancerawareness #nomakeupselfie pics! The campaign isn’t ours but every £ helps #beatcancersooner pic.twitter.com/nNb0RSEitr
— Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) March 19, 2014
The charity also suggested donating £3 ($4.95) towards cancer research by simply sending the word “BEAT” to 70099.
According to the Telegraph, the #nomakeupselfie appears to have started with author Laura Lippman, who originally posted a picture of her makeup-free face in support of actress Kim Novak, but in just one day it’s already taken a life of its own.
Here’s more of our great breast cancer researchers saying thank you with an @theellenshow Oscar-style #nomakeupselfie pic.twitter.com/tVXdE34X2G
— BreastCancerCampaign (@BCCampaign) March 20, 2014
Here’s my #nomakeupselfie for @CR_UK and @IrishCancerSoc. Text codes for UK and Ireland on my hands. Get donating :) pic.twitter.com/y99ioixFA8
— Declan Leavy (@DeclanLeavy) March 20, 2014
a lunchtime #nomakeupselfie for my much-missed friend Bernie Nolan #beatcancersooner txt beat to 70099 to donate £3 pic.twitter.com/ACZ7JvYg5X
— Julia Goldsworthy (@jgoldsworthy) March 20, 2014
Some of the tweets are coming from those currently undergoing treatment, and even if cynics see it as another excuse to rag on selfies, people are also spreading word of the charity campaign.
A Facebook group to share everyone’s #nomakeupselfies already has more than 233,000 likes.
My’ #nomakeupselfie ‘wouldn’t be selfie without my partner in crime the other half of me! @Jack_Marshall_ All Cancers pic.twitter.com/F2QMDuX7rQ
— TraceyMarshall (@TraceyJMarshall) March 20, 2014
No makeup selfie half way through chemo. Make a difference! @TheChristie @TeenageCancer @CR_UK #nomakeupselfie pic.twitter.com/Eio2EUbeV3
— Emma Newton (@newtonemmax) March 20, 2014
A brilliant message from my wife’s friend’s 10yo daughter (https://t.co/GcrpsFdzuO) #nomakeupselfie Pls RT pic.twitter.com/NTOMMKlUXn
— James Morley (@jamesinealing) March 19, 2014
Cancer Research is thrilled with how the viral campaign is turning out so far.
“The #nomakeupselfie Twitter trend isn’t something Cancer Research U.K. started but it’s great to see so many people getting involved to help raise awareness of cancer amongst their friends and family,” director of communications Carolan Davidge said in a statement.
Selfies are doing some good in this world after all.
to all you who were was saying it was “pointless” – #nomakeupselfie has raised over £1million already ☺️ pic.twitter.com/tIJB8pUKtI
— Bee (@bxxth) March 20, 2014
H/T Telegraph | Photo via VioletWinters/Morguefile (PD)
