Pete Frates, former Boston College baseball captain and committed advocate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as motor neuron disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease) died on December 9th in his hometown, Beverly, MA at the age of 34. He was diagnosed in 2012 at the age of 27 with the disease. A husband, father, brother, and son, Pete truly represented the definition of a leader and team player.
ALS is a disease that has no treatment and no cure. It had for several years stayed under the radar with little to no progress made on its cause(s) or treatment. Pete Frates sought to change all this and tried to offer hope to those who are affected and would be affected. Through his leadership abilities he championed the cause (along with others) of the “Ice Bucket Challenge” where participants would have someone (or administer it by themselves) dump a bucket of ice water over them and would then nominate other people to take the challenge. Such was the scope of this initiative that even Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama took on the challenge.
Though the ice bucket challenge existed in other areas for different causes, it was Pete who used it to rally awareness and fundraising for ALS. In 2014, videos of ice bucket participants became viral and a global phenomenon. It is reported that more than $220 million has been raised because of this.
Though Pete suffered through this awful disease for several years, he kept up his fighting spirit and leadership abilities. He has been an inspiration to many people around the world. Because of his efforts, he has given hope to ALS sufferers, assisted in new genetic discoveries and treatments as a result of massive dollars raised from the Challenge, and hopefully someday a cure for this disease.
Let’s all look inward to discover our natural leadership and teamwork abilities and do whatever we can to make this world a better place.
“A natural born leader and the ultimate teammate, Pete was a role model for all, especially young athletes, who looked up to him for his bravery and unwavering positive spirit in the face of adversity. He was a noble fighter who inspired us all to use our talents and strengths in the service of others.” Statement from the Frates family on the death of Pete Frates, Campus & Community/Alumni, December 9, 2019
Thank you for reminding us of this inspiring young man, Michael.
I know someone with ALS, it’s so horrible what it does, the toll it takes. And yet she goes about her life as normally as she can by summoning utterly super-human strength and will. This is a great reminder that those of us blessed with the relatively good health should always be grateful for our luck. Thanks Michael.
Another great baseball player, Jackie Robinson, once said: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
Pete Frates, despite incredible obstacles put in his path, lived this credo each day of his life — before and after developing ALS. Something we can all aspire to and learn from.
Thank you all for your comments. My father-in-law passed away from ALS many years ago. At that time there was no focus on the disease. Hopefully with the work and fundraising that Pete and others have done, hopefully we will one day find a cure for this dreadful disease.
Great blog Michael. Very touching. I remember the Ice bucket challenge being a huge hit among my friends – I did it! I wonder if I can find the video…
Great tribute post and way to celebrate a tremendously inspirational man. Thanks for sharing.