[ad_1]
The Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder died at age 37, seven years after he was diagnosed with a motor neuron disease.
Patrick Quinn’s viral campaign raised over £ 165 million for medical research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease.
He was diagnosed with a motor neuron disease, called ALS in the United States, on March 8, 2013, according to his Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness that we must share Patrick’s passing early this morning,” his supporters said on Facebook.
“We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS.”
Condolences to the Quinn family reached social media, with many expressing gratitude for the attention it brought to the
disease and the need to find a cure.
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in the summer of 2014, when people around the world posted videos and
photos of themselves tossing buckets of ice water on their heads and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for motor neuron disease research.
About 12,000 to 15,000 people in the US may have motor neuron disease, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is believed that between 5 and 10 percent of cases of motor neuron diseases are inherited, but the cause is unknown and there is no cure.
Among Quinn’s many honors for raising awareness of motor neuron disease and promoting research was a nomination alongside motor neuron disease activist Peter Frates for “Person of the Year” by Time magazine.
Frates died last year at age 34, seven years after his diagnosis.
[ad_2]
