Ice Bucket Challenge co-creator Patrick Quinn dies at 37 from motor neurone disease
2014 - "Lawmakers Who Cut Funds For ALS Research Take Ice Bucket Challenge For ALS Research"
Posted Yesterday at 12:33pm
Justin Trudeau was one of those getting into the Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2014.(REUTERS/Dan Riedlhuber)
One of the men behind the Ice Bucket Challenge, a worldwide phenomenon which helped raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease, has died seven years after being diagnosed with the illness.
Friends and supporters paid tribute to Patrick Quinn, 37, on social media.
"It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning," they wrote.
"We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] ."
The challenge quickly went viral on social media, with people around the world posting videos and photos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads, and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for ALS research.
It didn't take long for celebrities, politicians and athletes to jump on the bandwagon, helping to raise more than $US220 million for medical research.
[...]
Youtube LeBron James has a bucket of ice dumped on his head to raise awareness for ALS.
Was it successful?
Hugely.
There were more than 2.4 million tagged videos circulating on Facebook. Celebrities embraced the challenge, with the likes of Justin Bieber, LeBron James, Weird Al Yankovic, Russell Brand and former US president George W Bush taking part.
Bill Gates, Barnaby Joyce, Ricky Gervais and Kermit the Frog also joined in.
Even Donald Trump got involved, electing to have ice tipped over him by then-Miss Universe and Miss USA as he sat on top of a skyscraper.
[...]
Youtube Singer Carole King did her Ice Bucket Challenge in a creek to save water.
So what is ALS?
ALS is also known as motor neurone disease, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. What is motor neurone disease?
Motor Neurone Disease Motor neurone disease is caused by degeneration of the nerves that relay signals to muscles. Why the nerve damage occurs is one of the great mysteries of modern medicine. Read more > https://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2008/05/06/2236692.htm
It's a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease that impacts the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive paralysis.
It affects the nerves that communicate between the brain and the muscles that allow us to move, speak, swallow and breathe.
Once a person is diagnosed, the average life expectancy is just two to three years.
It can affect adults of any age but is more common in people over 50.
The cause is unknown, and there is no cure.
There are currently more than 2,000 Australians living with ALS.
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