Patrick Quinn was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago. He passed away yesterday. “He has been a blessing to all of us in so many ways,” write supporters of the activist his official Facebook page.
Worldwide fame
Quinn wasn’t the first to come up with the idea for an Ice Bucket Challenge, but he and his family members in 2014 made sure the campaign gained worldwide exposure. One of the challenge’s other sources of inspiration, Pete Frates, passed away last year. He was only 34 years old.
–
–
What is ALS?
ALS is short for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It is a disease in the nerve cells that control the muscles. Signals from the brain do not reach the muscles properly, so that no more movements are initiated.
Source: ALS Netherlands Foundation
–
–
In the Ice Bucket Challenge, people throw a bucket of ice cold water over their heads. Then they nominate others to do the same. Those who did not want to, had to pay the ALS foundation.
The money raised by the foundation was used for research into the disease. And with success: in 2017 a drug was introduced that can slow down the disease.
–
–
