30°
Quinn died of the disease on Sunday, Nov. 22, said the ALS. Foundation at the age of 37 in Yonkers.
He was diagnosed in March of 2013, a month after his 30th birthday. Immediately after he was diagnosed, he decided he wanted to make a difference in the ALS community.
Taking a cue from his friend, the late Pete Frates, Pat established his own team of supporters – Quinn for the Win – to raise awareness and funds for the fight against ALS, the organization.
Pat, who lived in Yonkers, saw the Ice Bucket Challenge on the social media feed of the friends and family of the late Anthony Senerchia, of Pelham, and knew it was the key to raising ALS awareness, they added.
He and his Quinn for the Win supporters, along with Pete Frates and his Team Frate Train supporters, turned the challenge into the biggest social media phenomenon in history.
The Ice Bucket Challenge went on to raise $115 million for The ALS Association and over $220 million around the world for ALS research.
It dramatically accelerated the fight against ALS, leading to new research discoveries, expanded care for people living with ALS, and significant investment from the government in ALS research.
"He continued hosting an Ice Bucket Challenge in his beloved Yonkers every year (“Every August Until a Cure”) and he started a social media campaign encouraging everyone to 'FindUrSmile," the organization said.
After starting the challenge, Quinn said "The Ice Bucket Challenge connected with a sweet left hook to the jaw of ALS and shook the disease up, but by no means is this fight over. We need to knock this disease out."
The association issued a statement: "Our thoughts are with the Quinn family, the Quinn for the Win team of supporters, and everyone who knew and loved Pat. He will continue to inspire all of us."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Mount Pleasant and receive free news updates.
