Yonkers’ State Delegation Honors Yonkers Native and ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Creator Patrick Quinn for Raising Awareness about ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease

(Albany - March 3rd) The state delegation that represents Yonkers, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator George Latimer, Assembly Member Shelley Mayer and Assembly Member Gary Pretlow, honored Yonkers native Patrick Quinn for raising awareness about ALS and the Ice Bucket Challenge. Quinn and a friend, Peter Frates of Boston, are credited with co-creating the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS, that in 2014, spread like wildfire on social media.

The Ice Bucket Challenge involves dumping a bucket of ice water over your head, then nominating others to do the same within 24 hours or else make a contribution to the ALS Association. As the Resolution states, “As a result of the popularity of the challenge, people from across the country, in every imaginable setting, successfully raised $62.5 million in donations for the ALS Association between July 29th to August 23rd of 2014, compared to $2.4 million during the same period the year prior.” Expanding on that figure, the ALS Association reports that between July and September of 2014, $115 million was raised, with a total of $220 million worldwide.There were 17 million videos posted on Facebook, with 10 billion views and 440 million people engaged as a result. Pat Quinn also established his own fundraising initiative, Quinn 4 the Win, which raised $10,000.

Senate Democratic Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, (35th SD) said, “When I took the Ice Bucket Challenge myself, Pat was with me in Yonkers, and his brother did the honors, dumping the bucket of ice water over my head. I am in awe of what he and this idea has achieved - raising awareness and millions of dollars in the fight against ALS. I always say one person can make a difference, and Pat Quinn certainly has.”

"Patrick Quinn's efforts to raise awareness of ALS and funds for research were nothing short of inspirational,” said Senator George Latimer (37th SD).  “I happily participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge over the summer and am humbled by the knowledge that I was one of many, many people to take a few moments do to a small part for an important cause.  Honoring Patrick's efforts with this resolution is the least we can do for him and others fighting this disease along side of him."

Assemblymember Mayer (90th AD) stated, “In the face of his own difficult battle with ALS, Patrick Quinn has demonstrated tremendous commitment to raising awareness and funds to research and cure ALS.  His creative efforts have raised millions of dollars and brought much needed attention to the devastating disease.”

Assemblyman Pretlow said, (89th AD)“As a result of its popularity, The Ice Bucket Challenge has raised over 60 million dollars that will be instrumental in hiring more scientists and researchers working to eradicate this disease.  I commend Patrick Quinn for his strength and resilient and for bringing ALS to the forefront of public awareness.”

Click here to watch Senator Stewart-Cousins' honoring Pat Quinn on the Senate floor.