“Pat fought ALS with positivity and bravery and inspired all around him.”
Ice bucket challenge co-founder Pat Quinn has passed away, aged 37.
Quinn, who co-founded the viral challenge that has raised over $200 million for motor neurone disease research, died this week following a seven year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 37-years-old.
Quinn founded the challenge alongside Pete Frates and other activists after seeing a video of professional golfer Chris Kennedy daring his wife’s cousin to dump a bucket of icy water over her head for charity.
The group began working to popularise the trend, eventually raising millions of dollars for motor neurone disease research.
The ALS Association confirmed Quinn’s passing this week, saying: “Pat fought ALS with positivity and bravery and inspired all around him.
“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. [The challenge] 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.”
Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that that attacks the motor neurones in the spinal cord and brain. There is currently no known cure.
