It’s one of the most recognisable faces on the internet: eyes wide, mouth slightly open, a look that captures disbelief better than words ever could. For more than a decade, the “Blinking White Guy” GIF has been shared millions of times to express everything from confusion to mild outrage. However, this week, the man behind the meme turned it into something far more powerful. Drew Scanlon has now raised more than $300,000 for multiple sclerosis research, using his unexpected fame to fund real-world change.
The viral clip came from a 2013 livestream, when Scanlon reacted to a friend’s offhand comment with a blink that summed up the collective internet mood before memes even had a name for it. Years later, the GIF spread across social media and message boards, transforming into one of the most used reactions online. As he told Time, it was never planned: “It just happened to be my face.”
According to The Guardian, Scanlon has channelled that unplanned fame into something remarkably positive. Two people close to him, a friend and that friend’s mother, live with multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. Motivated by their experiences, he began a charity bike ride in 2016 to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United States.
He’s been doing it every year since, but the 2025 campaign has been his most successful by far. He raised around $70,000 this year alone, bringing the total to over $300,000. Posting on social media, he used the very same GIF that made him famous, writing: “THIS IS MY FACE.” That simple caption resonated with people, and donations poured in from across the world.
Scanlon explained to SFGate that the attention has been both surreal and heartening. “The GIF has been used so many times by so many people for completely different reasons,” he said, “but if even a fraction of that attention can be used to help people with MS, then that’s what matters.”
Why this story stands out
It’s easy to assume internet fame disappears as quickly as it arrives, but Scanlon’s story proves it can last if used well. The blinking GIF endures because it captures something universal. Everyone has had that moment of disbelief or speechlessness, and that shared emotion makes it one of the internet’s most relatable reactions.
When Scanlon stepped in to reclaim it and use it for a cause, people responded instantly. There’s something quietly moving about seeing a meme used not for mockery or irony, but for good. It’s also an example of how digital culture, often dismissed as shallow, can spark genuine generosity when given the right story and motivation.
Unlike most viral figures, Scanlon hasn’t chased celebrity. He still works in media production and runs his charity work on the side. That down-to-earth authenticity has made his campaign all the more effective. He’s not cashing in on nostalgia; he’s turning a moment of chance into a long-term contribution.
Multiple sclerosis affects more than 130,000 people in the UK alone, and while treatments have improved, there’s still no cure. By harnessing one of the internet’s most recognisable images, Scanlon has not only raised money but kept awareness of the disease in public conversation. The donations he collects support research into how MS progresses and how to manage symptoms, helping to improve quality of life for people living with the condition.
There’s something poetic about a simple blink becoming a force that brings lasting good. In an online world often dominated by outrage and distraction, this story shows that humour and humanity can coexist, and that a meme can evolve into something meaningful.
Scanlon’s work also sets an example for others who find themselves suddenly in the spotlight. Viral fame might be unpredictable, but what you do with it doesn’t have to be. With each year’s ride, he turns one of the internet’s simplest jokes into a story about resilience, community, and care.
So next time that familiar GIF pops up in your feed, it might be worth pausing for a second. Behind that blinking face is someone quietly making a real difference.