The co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge has died aged 37 - seven years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Patrick Quinn's viral campaign raised more than £165 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease or motor neurone disease.
He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, called ALS in the US, on March 8, 2013, according to his Facebook page.
"It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning," his supporters said on Facebook.
"We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS."
Condolences to the Quinn family poured in on social media, with many expressing gratitude for the spotlight he drew to the
disease and the need to find a cure.
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in the summer of 2014, when people around the world posted videos and
photos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for motor neurone disease research.
Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 people in the US may have motor neurone disease, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
An estimated five per cent to 10 per cent of motor neurone disease cases are believed to be hereditary, but the cause is unknown and there is no cure.
Among Quinn's many honors for raising awareness of motor neurone disease and promoting research was a nomination with fellow motor neurone disease activist Peter Frates as "Person of the Year" by Time magazine.
Frates died last year at age 34, seven years after his diagnosis
