Ice Bucket Challenge co-creator Patrick Quinn dies at age 37

[November 23, 2020]  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37, seven years after his diagnosis, supporters announced on Facebook.

Quinn, who was born and grew up in Yonkers, New York, was co-founder of the campaign that raised more than $220 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, his Facebook page said.

He was diagnosed with ALS on March 8, 2013, according to his Facebook page.

"It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning," his supporters said on Facebook. "We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS."

Condolences to the Quinn family poured in on social media, with many expressing gratitude for the spotlight he drew to the disease and the need to find a cure.

The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in the summer of 2014, when people around the world posted videos and photos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for ALS research.

(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

Campers from the Huntington YMCA pour a bucket of ice water over each other during an event to commemorate the five year anniversary of the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge," a viral activity started by Pete Frates and Pat Quinn to raise money for research into the ALS disease, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., July 15, 2019. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 Americans may have ALS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 5% to 10% of ALS cases are believed to be hereditary, but the cause is unknown and there is no cure.

Among Quinn's many honors for raising awareness of ALS and promoting research was a nomination with fellow ALS activist Peter Frates as "Person of the Year" by Time magazine. Frates died last year at age 34, seven years after his diagnosis.

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