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Health
Jaclyn Diaz, NPR

Ice Bucket Challenge co-creator dies at 37

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Patrick Quinn, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, shown in 2015, has died after a seven-year battle with ALS.
Patrick Quinn, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, shown in 2015, has died after a seven-year battle with ALS.
Brian Ach/Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Webby Awards

Patrick Quinn, the co-creator of the viral Ice Bucket challenge, has died at the age of 37 after a seven-year fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

The Ice Bucket Challenge, which took the Internet by storm in 2014, raised $115 million for the ALS Association and more than $220 million around the world for ALS research, according to the association.

"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," the ALS Association said in a statement online Sunday.

Participants of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which at its height consisted of celebrities, former presidents, and famous athletes, would take videos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads. They would then nominate others to do the same and donate to ALS research.

Quinn started the Ice Bucket Challenge, teaming up with Pete Frates, another ALS sufferer, to promote ALS awareness through the challenge.

Frates died in 2019.

The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team takes part in the the Ice Bucket Challenge, in 2014. At its height, the viral challenge attracted celebrities, famous athletes, and former presidents to take part.
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team takes part in the the Ice Bucket Challenge, in 2014. At its height, the viral challenge attracted celebrities, famous athletes, and former presidents to take part.
Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Quinn was first diagnosed with ALS, which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, at the age of 30.

Quinn's group of supporters, called Quinn for the Win, wrote on Facebook 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."

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.