The Boston College said that Pete Frates, who inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge, passed away late last night. Frates was 27 when he was diagnosed with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis the neurodegenerative disease. Frates was 34 and died after a seven-year battle with the disease at his home at Beverly Massachusetts.
The disease, also known as the Lou Gehrig's inspired people around the world to take up the Ice Bucket Challenge in the summer of 2014 to raise funds for ALS research. The challenge had people dumping buckets of ice water over their heads while urging others to donate for ALS research. According to the ALS Association, the move eventually raised more than $220 million.
His family said in a statement that “Pete passed away surrounded by his loving family, peacefully at age 34, after a heroic battle with ALS.” They also added that he never complained about his illness.
Several high-profile celebrities including Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates and even former US president George W. Bush took part in the challenge, which helped escalate awareness about the disease. As part of his long-time ALS advocacy, Frates, a former college baseball player said, being diagnosed with the disease inspired him to not just survive but thrive."(It) give me another reason to get out of bed every day," Frates told the Boston College newspaper, The Heights, roughly a year after his diagnosis."Being part of something bigger than yourself is one of the best things you can do."
