The 2019 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will take place Saturday, Aug. 3 trackside at Empire City Casino in Yonkers. The annual event, co-founded by Yonkers native Pat Quinn after his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 2013, became a global phenomenon in 2014 as thousands of people from around the world participated in the challenge on social media.
Since 2015, Empire City Casino has hosted the annual challenge in support of Quinn and to continue to generate awareness for ALS research.
The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with food concessions available for purchase, music and more. Ice Bucket Challenge participants can pre-register in advance at www.YonkersNY.gov or www.empirecitycasino.com.
ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. With no known cure, Quinn began the Ice Bucket Challenge to put ALS on ice by raising awareness, as well as donations for research. The challenge has remained a catalyst of the efforts to find a cure for ALS, with Quinn helping inspire billions of dollars in donations for ALS research, which has helped produce significant discoveries and breakthroughs.
“Empire City Casino is proud to continue supporting Yonkers native Pat Quinn in his courageous fight and to be part of the worldwide phenomenon he helped create as co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Uri Clinton, Empire City Casino president and chief operating officer. “We are incredibly humbled to be part of a community that always shows up to support each other. We can all do our part to raise awareness of the need for more funds for ALS research. We’ll see you trackside Aug. 3.”
Each year, Empire City Casino donates the space, set-up and staffing, as well as more than 1,300 pounds of ice, for the event.
“Pat Quinn’s fight and determination to combat this horrible disease has been so inspirational and we are proud to join him in that effort,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Pat and his organization, Quinn For The Win, have courageously and selflessly turned his battle with ALS into one of the most successful social media fundraising movements this world has ever seen. We encourage any and all to join us on Aug. 3 for a great day of family fun at Empire City Casino.”
“I’m so grateful for the continued support from Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and the entire City of Yonkers,” said Quinn. “I’m extremely proud to know that Quinn For the Win and Yonkers continue to fight ALS together. We live by the mantra ‘Every August Until a Cure.’ This is the fifth time the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been held at the casino. Let’s make it the biggest and best yet to show everyone the fight against ALS is stronger than ever. Please join me Aug. 3 at Empire City Casino to kick off the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in Yonkers.”
A recent report from RTI, an independent research firm, showed that donations from when the Ice Bucket Challenge first began in 2014 helped the ALS Association increase its annual funding for research worldwide by 187 percent. A recent Oregon State University study shows that a copper compound can help slow the progression of ALS after recent testing in mice. Just a few short years ago, researchers discovered a new gene associated with ALS that may hold the key to one day finding a cure.
Additionally, new technology is allowing individuals affected by ALS, like Pat, to regain their voice.
ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70. Approximately 20,000 Americans currently suffer from the disease.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Quinn for the Win, which benefits Quinn’s care, as well as not-for-profit ALS research organizations. For more information, go to YonkersNY.gov, Quinn4theWin and Facebook.com/QuinnForTheWin.
