Ice Bucket Challenge founder dies after long battle with ALS
Yonkers, New York - After years of fighting the incurable disease ALS, Patrick Quinn died on Sunday at the age of 37.
![Patrick Quinn (†37) was one of the co-founders of the "Ice Bucket Challenge."](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/f/z/fz64e3henu2q7ftk9y5jkvfglt5yzkiz.jpg)
In 2014, Quinn created the Ice Bucket Challenge. To complete the challenge, people filmed themselves pouring a bucket of ice water over their heads. They could also compete by letting someone else dump ice water on them.
The idea quickly became a trend on social media and attracted countless participants, including many celebrities.
The viral stunt was created to raise money for research into the nerve disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
ALS is an incurable degenerative disease of the motor nervous system that gradually leads to paralysis of the entire body.
About a year after the Ice Bucket Challenged was launched, $115 million had already been donated to the international ALS Association.
Patrick Quinn was diagnosed when he was 30 years old. Quinn's death was announced on the Facebook page "Quinn for the Win." The post said, "We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS."
Patrick Quinn's Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness and funds
The ALS Foundation also shared the news of Quinn's passing on their Twitter account: "We are deeply saddened to share that Pat Quinn, co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge passed away at the age of 37. Pat was diagnosed with ALS in 2013 and went on to help popularize the greatest social media campaign in history."
According to the foundation, not only did Quinn's idea increase donations, but it also helped generate new research, expand the care of people with ALS, and increase government investments into research.
The co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Quinn's friend Pete Frates, died in 2019. Frates also suffered from ALS and was 34.
Cover photo: twitter.com/alsassociation/