ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Creator Pat Quinn Dies At 37

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-creator Pat Quinn died on Sunday at the age of 37, according to a statement from the ALS Association.

The ALS ice bucket challenge, where people challenge their friends to pour a bucket of ice water on their heads to raise awareness and money for ALS research, raised $115 million for the ALS Association and more than $220 million for research around the world since its inception.

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

Quinn was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, one month after his 30th birthday in 2013. He created a social media page for people to support him and raise awareness and money for ALS research called Quinn For The Win. He, along with two friends suffering from ALS Anthony Senerchia and Pete Frates, created the ice bucket challenge and spread it to their social media supporters and the phenomenon grew from there. In the two weeks after the challenges creation, ALS Association and its 38 chapters raised $4 million. In comparison, during the same time period the year before the group had raised $1.1 million. The three men were honored by the ALS Association in 2015 as “ALS Heroes” for creating the challenge. Senerchia died in 2017 and Frates died last December.

“It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning,” the Quinn For The Win Facebook page posted on Sunday. “He was a blessing to us all in so many ways. We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS.”