Dozens of people, including the governor of Massachusetts and several sports stars, poured cold water on themselves at Fenway Park on Thursday to mark the 10th anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
The campaign was created to reignite interest in a viral social media campaign that raised funds to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease. Organizers say the event has raised $250 million so far and led to an additional $1 billion in research funding.
“Our son’s life was filled with grace, determination and purpose, and through his tenacity, hard work and courage he started a movement that is still being celebrated today for all those affected by this terrible disease,” said Nancy Ford Nancy Frates said. Both were diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and later died.
“Although he is no longer with us physically, his powerful spirit is still celebrated along with this historic movement,” she said. “You deliver results. But as Pete said, ‘We can have fun today, but the work isn’t done yet. Let’s get back to work tomorrow.’
Dr. Merit Cudkowicz is director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital and director of the Pete Frey Dr. Pete Frates, she recalled her first meeting with him and how he vowed to raise $1 billion for ALS research. One benefit is that there are more medications available to treat the disease.
“It’s hard to believe that pouring a bucket of ice over your head would change the way we think about ALS, but this simple act has done more to raise awareness of ALS and spur amazing research advances than any other effort,” she told us. “It brought so many new scientists into the field around the world, which made a difference for ALS patients today.”
After the speech, about 75 people, including several families with young children, lined up in front of buckets on the baseball field. Suddenly, they poured icy cold water from kegs over their heads, much to the relief of many on a day with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the stands, Mike Cunningham, 54, of Canton, Mass., watched the game from a wheelchair.
He was diagnosed with ALS last year and admitted it was sometimes difficult to get out of the house. But he said he wouldn’t miss Thursday’s event, which gave him a sense of pride, hope, courage and “thank you for all the kindness people have shown.”
“People are nice. People are kind and when people need help, they step up. “It’s easy to forget that with the news you hear every day. You see it. You feel it, kindness. Friends, neighbors, strangers. People are coming out to help fight this terrible disease.
In 2014, Quinn saw the Ice Bucket Challenge on professional golfer Chris Kennedy’s social media, and he first challenged his wife’s cousin, Janet Senacchia, to pour a bucket of ice water over her head. , post the video on social media and ask others to do the same or donate to charity. Senerchia’s husband has ALS.
Quinn and Frates helped popularize the challenge. When the two picked up, the vision broke out. Thousands of people have taken part in the viral trend, including celebrities, sports stars and politicians. Online videos have been viewed millions of times.
Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the New York Yankees great who suffered from the disease, is also known as ALS or motor neurone disease. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes paralysis due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. There is currently no known treatment.
