Patrick Quinn, a US citizen who helped to raise awareness against a deadly neurodegenerative disease through global ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has died at the age of 37.
Patrick Quinn living in New York was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2013 a progressive nervous system disease which is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it.
“It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning,” wrote his team in Quinn’s ALS advocacy Facebook group, Quinn for the Win.
“We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS.”
Patrick Quinn started the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 and his friends and family helped it to become a global phenomenon.
Millions of people took up the challenge which involved drenching themselves with a bucket of ice-cold water and posting the video online while donating for the medical research to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease and nominating others to do the same. The body of an ALS patient slowly shut down as their nervous system degenerates.
High profile personalities, celebrities, sports personal and general public also took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge including Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and also former US President George W Bush.
‘Fought ALS with positivity, bravery’
The Ice Bucket Challenge campaign helped raise $220 million funds for research of ALS. The ALS Association thanked Patrick Quinn for the Ice Bucket Challenge and raising awareness about the disease and grieved over his death.
“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.”
