In Boston, at Fenway Park, a crowd including the Massachusetts governor and several sports stars gathered on Thursday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge by dousing themselves with cold water. This event aimed to rejuvenate interest in the viral social media campaign that has so far accumulated $250 million and led to an additional $1 billion in research funding to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Nancy Frates, the mother of Pete Frates who, along with Pat Quinn, helped popularize the challenge, spoke passionately about her son’s legacy. “Our son’s life was one of grace, determination and purpose. Through his resilience, diligence, and courage, he created a movement that continues to be celebrated for all affected by this horrific disease,” she said. Both Pete Frates and Pat Quinn, who were diagnosed with ALS, have since passed away. “Even though his human body is no longer with us, his powerful spirit is still being celebrated along with the historic movement,” she added. Quoting Pete, she urged the crowd, “We can have fun today but the job isn’t done. Let’s get back to work tomorrow.”
Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, who directs the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital and was Pete Frates’ doctor, recounted her first meeting with Pete and his vow to raise $1 billion for ALS research. She noted that the Ice Bucket Challenge prompted significant advancements in the field. “It’s hard to believe that dumping a bucket of ice over your head was going to change how we think about ALS, but that simple act did more to raise awareness for ALS than any other effort, and it catalyzed amazing research advances,” she told the audience, which included several hundred ALS patients and their families. “It brought so many new scientists to the field all over the world and that’s making the difference today for people living with ALS.”
Following the speeches, around 75 people, including several families with young children, stood on the baseball field. Simultaneously, they tipped ice-cold water from small buckets over their heads, finding some relief on a day when temperatures soared into the 90s.
Mike Cunningham, 54, of Canton, Massachusetts, watched the event from his wheelchair. Diagnosed with ALS last year, Cunningham acknowledged the difficulty of leaving his house but couldn’t miss Thursday’s event. The gathering filled him with pride, hope, courage, and “thankfulness for all the kindness that people show.” He remarked on the inherent goodness and generosity of people, saying, “It’s easy to forget that with all the news you hear every day. You see it. You feel it, the kindness. Friends, neighbors, strangers that come out and try to help fight this awful disease.”
The Ice Bucket Challenge gained momentum in 2014 when Pat Quinn noticed it on the social media feed of professional golfer Chris Kennedy. Kennedy had first challenged his wife’s cousin Jeanette Senerchia to dump a bucket of ice water over her head, post a video on social media, and ask others to do the same or donate to charity. Senerchia’s husband had ALS. When Quinn and Frates adopted the challenge, it went viral, with thousands—including celebrities, sports figures, and politicians—participating. Online videos of the challenge were viewed millions of times.
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS or motor neuron disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to paralysis due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. Currently, there is no known cure for this debilitating condition.
