Ice bucket challenge co-founder Patrick Quinn dies aged 37 after ALS battle

The challenge, considered to be the biggest viral campaign in history, raised more than $200 million (£150m) worldwide for research into Lou Gehrig's disease, more popularly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neurone disease
Patrick Quinn helped to popularise the challenge
AP
Luke O'Reilly23 November 2020

Patrick Quinn, who co-founded the ice bucket challenge died Sunday at the age of 37.

The challenge, considered to be the biggest viral campaign in history, raised more than $200 million (£150m) worldwide for research into Lou Gehrig's disease, more popularly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neurone disease.

In a statement announcing his death, the ALS Association said Mr Quinn was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2013, a month after his 30th birthday. 

"Pat fought ALS with positivity and bravery and inspired all around him," the association said.

"Those of us who knew him are devastated but grateful for all he did to advance the fight against ALS. ... Our thoughts are with the Quinn family and all of his friends and supporters. Pat was loved by many of us within the ALS community and around the world."

In 2014, Quinn saw the ice bucket challenge on the social media feed of professional golfer Chris Kennedy, who first dared his wife's cousin Jeanette Senerchia to take a bucket of ice water, dump it over her head, post a video on social media and ask others to do the same or to make a donation to charity. Senerchia's husband had ALS.

Quinn and co-founder Pete Frates, along with their teams of supporters, helped popularise the challenge. The ALS Association said Quinn "knew it was the key to raising ALS awareness," calling it "the greatest social media campaign in history." Frates, a former Boston College baseball player, died in December 2019 at the age of 34.

When the two picked it up, the phenomenon exploded, the organisation said. Thousands of people participated in the viral trend, including celebrities, sports stars and politicians — even Donald Trump before his election and cartoon character Homer Simpson. Online videos were viewed millions of times.

Pat Quinn. Quinn, a co-founder of the viral ice bucket challeng
Pat Quinn helped raise more than 200 million worldwide
AP

"It dramatically accelerated the fight against ALS, leading to new research discoveries, expanded care for people living with ALS, and significant investment from the government in ALS research," the organization's statement said.

Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the New York Yankees great who suffered from it, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to paralysis due to the death of motor neurones in the spinal cord and brain. There is no known cure.

The organisation added that Quinn continued to raise awareness and funds after popularising the challenge. In 2015, the association honored him, among others, as "ALS Heroes" — an award given to people living with the disease who have had a significant positive impact on the fight against it.

On the 5th anniversary of the challenge, Quinn, who was from Yonkers, New York, addressed a crowd in Boston.

"Nobody knew the Ice Bucket Challenge would become a worldwide phenomenon, but we united as one because that is what it takes to change a disease like ALS," he said.

"There are warriors all over the world unwilling to accept it as a death sentence. . We will never stop fighting together. I will not leave this Earth until I know the next person diagnosed with ALS has a real plan to live with this disease, not just die from it."

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