The fourth annual Ice Bucket Challenge was held Aug. 4 at Empire Casino at Yonkers Raceway. The event has become a rite of summer in Yonkers, and this year was no different, as Pat Quinn, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge and a heroic fighter against ALS, was joined by other ALS warriors, families, friends and supporters who all showed up to cool down – but more importantly, to support Quinn and the effort to raise funds to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Joining Quinn were ALS warriors John McCann (who has his Yonkers Rising front page photo of him and Quinn on his apartment wall), and Pauline Cardillo, who came with her family from the Bronx to stand up and join the effort.
But the man of the day was Quinn, who was embraced by his many friends in Yonkers for his courageous fight and for helping create the global phenomena that is the Ice Bucket Challenge. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Quinn For the Win, which benefits Quinn’s personal care, as well as numerous non-profit ALS research organizations.
Team Quinn for the Win, was selling T-shirts and getting everyone ready. On Facebook, Quinn for the Win posted: “This past weekend was the Yonkers Ice Bucket Challenge! It was an incredible day with hundreds turning out for what has become an August tradition here in our city. It’s not just some social media fad for us. It’s a day we all come together to show Pat and the entire ALS community we are still fighting with them. It’s a reminder to the world (that) ALS is still without a cure with extremely limited treatment options. It’s also a day we bring people together for a fun event where smiles take over the atmosphere! A truly inspiring day every year!
“We have so many people to thank, hopefully we don’t forget anyone! Thank you to the City of Yonkers, Mayor Mike Spano, his staff, and the Yonkers City Council members who came out to support. Your continued support is incredible. Thank you to Empire City Casino, Taryn Duffy, and their staff. You guys are such a generous host. Thank you to DJ Lenny for keeping the music flowing throughout the day. Thank you to everyone who volunteered. Thank you to all the ALS patients who made it out. Team John and Pauline were in the house! And to finish, thank you to our special guest John Frates. We love the Frates family and we continue to fight this disease side by side! Thank you everyone!”
John Frates is the father of Pete Frates, the man credited, along with Quinn, as co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Thank you, Pat Quinn, for your courage in your fight, and sharing another great day with all of Yonkers.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. ALS, a disease with no known cure, usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70. Approximately 20,000 Americans currently suffer from the disease.
Quinn, 35, was diagnosed with ALS in March 2013. For more information on Quinn and his fight against ALS, go to Quinn4theWin.com or alsa.org.
