ICE bucket challenge co-founder Pat Quinn
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and the family of ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder and late Yonkers Native Pat Quinn announced the date of the 2025 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is set for Saturday, August 2, 2025.The annual event will once again take place trackside at the historic Yonkers Raceway located at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Westchester, New York. Festivities will begin at 12 noon with the ice bucket dump scheduled for approximately 1:30 p.m. Participants should pre-register online at YonkersNY.gov/IBC.
The event, co-founded by Quinn after his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2013 at the age of 30, became a global phenomenon as more than 17 million people around the world participated in the challenge via social media by dumping buckets of ice water on their heads. The event continues to remain a catalyst for raising funds to support research to identify a cure for the debilitating disease and raise awareness on the need for more research funding. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge recently inspired a new viral version of the challenge, the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge, to support mental health.
ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Quinn lost his battle with ALS almost five years ago in November 2020, yet his drive and determination live on through his family, friends, community, and beyond to raise awareness and find a cure for the approximately hundreds of thousands of Americans suffering from ALS. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with ALS across the U.S. annually. Actor Eric Dane, who portrayed a doctor on the hit television show Grey’s Anatomy, recently revealed his real-life ALS diagnosis.
Leading the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for another year is Quinn’s father, Patrick Quinn, Sr., who continues to pay tribute to his son and ensure his mission continues. Hosting a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, Quinn’s nonprofit organization, Quinn for the Win Find Your Smile Foundation (“Quinn for the Win”), continues to have significant impact.
Quinn for the Win provides cash grants to local ALS patients and their families to offset expenses not covered by medical insurance, including in-home care, adaptable equipment, wheelchair adjustments needed as patients’ physical limitations change and home renovations to accommodate wheelchairs. The organization also provides financial support for organizations that serve the families of ALS patients.
Since the challenge was founded more than ten years ago, ALS Ice Bucket Challenges have also significantly increased the awareness of this deadly disease globally. Earlier this year, the ALS Association awarded more than $2 million in grants to support the continued preclinical development of five emerging ALS therapies.
Technology has also become more advanced with Pat Quinn Jr. using an expanded CPAP machine, one of the first prototypes, to help expand his lungs and make it easier to breathe. One year ago, UC Davis Health developed brain-computer interface technology that translates brain signals into speech with high levels of accuracy, allowing a man with ALS to communicate. In addition, more ALS patients are sharing their stories on social media platforms such as Facebook, which allows patients to connect from all around the world and spread additional awareness to other communities who may not be as familiar with the devastating effects of ALS.
“I’m so grateful for the continued support of Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and community members from Yonkers and far beyond who continue to fight onwards toward a cure through keeping the ice bucket challenge going each and every year,” said Patrick Quinn, Sr. “It was a once in a lifetime phenomenon that took on a life of its own. The Yonkers community has been the champion of our family and ALS patients nationwide, especially in the last few years without Pat. My son built such a strong system of support and his Quinn for the Win – Find Your Smile Foundation is nothing short of remarkable. Pat laid the groundwork to find a cure, and now it’s our job to finish his mission. I look forward to seeing everyone on August 2.”
“For over a decade, Yonkers has proudly carried Pat Quinn’s legacy forward,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Each year, I witness an extraordinary outpouring of love and determination in his name. His unwavering fight against ALS has sparked hope, and because of him, we stand stronger in our resolve. But our work is far from over. ALS continues to devastate countless families, and we owe it to them to keep pushing forward. As long as this battle persists, so too will our commitment—every August, alongside our dedicated partners at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, we will stand together until we find a cure.”
Since 2015, Empire City has hosted the annual challenge, with the exception of 2020 because of the pandemic. The City of Yonkers donates buckets and the stage for the event and organizes online registration for participants. Empire City underwrites the cost of the event and donates the space, staffing, and over 1,300 pounds of ice.
The 2025 annual Ice Bucket Challenge will be held outdoors trackside, is free to participate, and attendees of all ages are welcome. Day-of, walk-up registration will also be available, but online advance registration is strongly encouraged to secure a space and bucket. For more information and to register, please visit www.empirecitycasino.com.
