Pat Quinn, co-founder of the social media ALS ice bucket challenge, which has raised more than USD 200 million worldwide for Lou Gehrig's disease research, died Sunday at the age of 37, according to the ALS Association. Photo: Twitter/ @alsassociation
Quinn, who was born and grew up in Yonkers, New York, was co-founder of the campaign that raised more than $220 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and it was his own battle with the disease that inspired him to take on the campaign. Photo: Reuters
In 2014, Quinn saw the ice bucket challenge on the social media feed of professional golfer Chris Kennedy, who first dared his wife's cousin Jeanette Senerchia to take a bucket of ice water, dump it over her head, post a video on social media and ask others to do the same or to make a donation to charity. Senerchia''s husband had ALS. Quinn and co-founder Pete Frates, along with their teams of supporters, helped popularise the challenge. Photo: Reuters
Thousands of people participated in the viral trend, including celebrities, sports stars and politicians — even Donald Trump before his election and cartoon character Homer Simpson. Online videos were viewed millions of times. Trump had ice tipped over him by then-Miss Universe and Miss USA as he sat on top of a skyscraper. Photo: YouTube/Donald Trump
Justin Trudeau was one of those getting into the Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2014. Photo: Reuters
Bill Gates took the challenge too, after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg challenged him. Photo: YouTube/Bill Gates
Here’s a photo of Mark Zuckerberg immediately after he took the challenge. Photo: YouTube/Mark Zuckerberg
McLaren Mercedes team members dump buckets of ice water onto Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain as he takes part in the "Ice Bucket Challenge" after the first practice session at the Belgian F1 Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps August 22, 2014. Photo: Reuters
Even Kermit the Frog took the challenge. Photo: YouTube