RARE Daily

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Founder Pat Quinn Dies at 37

November 25, 2020

Rare Daily Staff

Pat Quinn, a co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which became a viral sensation that raised $220 million for ALS research and global awareness for the neurodegenerative condition, died at 37.

The news was announced on the ALS Association website in a blog post.

Quinn, a resident of Yonkers, New York, was diagnosed in March of 2013, a month after his 30th birthday. Immediately after he was diagnosed, he decided he wanted to make a difference in the ALS community.

He saw the Ice Bucket Challenge on the social media feed of the friends and family of the late Anthony Senerchia, of Pelham, New York and saw its potential to raising awareness about ALS.

Quinn, ALS patient advocate Pete Frates, and their team of supports turned the challenge into the biggest social media phenomenon in history.

The Ice Bucket Challenge went on to raise $115 million for The ALS Association and more than $220 million around the world for ALS research. 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 for ALS research.

The ALS Association honored Quinn, Frates, and Senerchia as “ALS Heroes” at its annual Leadership Conference. The award is presented to people living with ALS who have had a significant positive impact on the fight against ALS. Senerchia died in 2017 and Frates died in 2019.

Following the Ice Bucket Challenge, Quinn continued his advocacy work speaking to groups. He raised awareness of the effects of ALS on a person’s voice and the importance of voice banking through “Project Revoice,” which was seen by millions around the world. He also starred with NFL legend Terry Bradshaw in a television public service announcement that has aired more than 63,000 times nationwide.

“Pat fought ALS with positivity and bravery and inspired all around him,” the ALS Association said on its blog. “Those of us who knew him are devastated but grateful for all he did to advance the fight against ALS.”

Photo: Pat Quinn, a co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

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