Drew Scanlon, the man behind the viral “Blinking White Guy” meme, has turned his internet fame into a powerful force for good. The San Francisco-based video producer has raised more than $300,000 for multiple sclerosis (MS) research, channeling global recognition from his meme into a meaningful cause.
In a recent interview, Scanlon said that the fight against MS is deeply personal for him. A close friend and her mother both live with the disease, which affects the central nervous system and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue to mobility issues. According to a 2019 study, nearly one million Americans have been diagnosed with MS.
Each year, Scanlon participates in a fundraising cycling event for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. To promote the effort, he uses his own viral fame. Once a year, he posts the “Blinking White Guy” gif on his X (formerly Twitter) account, captioning it “THIS IS MY FACE,” and includes a donation link at BlinkingGuy.com. The simple post consistently inspires thousands of fans to donate.
For the 2025 ride held in late September, Scanlon’s campaign raised about $70,000, according to data on his fundraising website. In previous years, his efforts collected more than $270,000, bringing his total contributions to well over $300,000. “I’m continually floored by how many people still react so generously to it,” said Scanlon, 39, expressing gratitude to his supporters.
The “Blinking White Guy” meme originated from a 2013 video game live stream where Scanlon reacted with a double blink to a colleague’s joke. The moment went unnoticed at first, but two years later, a forum user uploaded the clip as a gif. By 2017, it had exploded in popularity on X, used by millions to express disbelief or confusion. Vox even ranked it as the 11th greatest gif ever made, surpassing iconic moments featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Barack Obama.
Despite the fame, Scanlon says he often forgets he is the face of the meme. “A lot of times it doesn’t feel like me,” he stated. Many people, including his own wife before they met, believed the gif featured actor Cary Elwes.
Instead of distancing himself from the meme, Scanlon has embraced it as a tool for change. He hopes that his yearly fundraising efforts will one day be as famous as the meme itself. “I’d be pleased if the legacy of the meme was that it was used for good,” he said.
Online supporters have praised his work, with one user writing, “Not all heroes wear capes — some just blink confusedly over the years.”
Through humor, humility, and determination, Drew Scanlon has transformed a brief, bewildered moment on camera into a long-lasting campaign for hope — proving that even a meme like “Blinking White Guy” can make a real-world impact.
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