Supporters of Pat Quinn, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, announced on Facebook that after a 7-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Quinn passed away today at the age of 37.
Quinn’s Facebook page stated that the Ice Bucket Challenge had successfully raised over $220 million (approximately NT$6.3 billion) for ALS research institutes.
Born and raised in Yonkers, New York, Quinn was diagnosed with ALS shortly after his 30th birthday on March 8, 2013, and later became one of the main figures behind the global Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon.
His supporters on Facebook said, “It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of Patrick (Quinn) this morning. His unwavering fight against ALS, along with his inspirational spirit and courage, will forever remain in our hearts.”
Condolences poured in on social media for Quinn’s family, with many expressing gratitude for Quinn’s efforts to raise awareness of ALS and the need to find a cure.
In the summer of 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge trend swept through social media, with people worldwide posting videos or photos of themselves taking the icy plunge and challenging others to do the same to raise funds for ALS research.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people in the United States are living with ALS, with 5% to 10% of cases believed to be inherited, though the cause remains unknown and there is currently no effective treatment.
Quinn and another co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Pete Frates, were both nominated for Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Frates, a former star captain of the Boston College baseball team, was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and passed away at the end of last year after a 7-year battle, at the age of 34.
Another initiator of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Anthony Senerchia, passed away in 2017 at the age of 46.
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