Massachusetts

Dozens Support Pete Frates at Ice Bucket Challenge in Beverly

Dozens of people turned out Sunday morning in Beverly, Massachusetts, to help raise awareness for Lou Gehrig's disease and to support the man who inspired the ice bucket challenge.

Pete Frates, a Beverly native and former Boston College baseball star, was diagnosed in 2012 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. There is no known cure for the disease, which weakens muscles and impairs physical functioning.

Since coming up with the ice bucket challenge in 2014, more than $220 million has been raised for disease research.

Frates could not be at Sunday's ice bucket challenge event but his parents, Nancy and John, as well as dozens of first responders were on hand.

John Frates said he's done dozens of challenges, but each one is meaningful.

"What a pleasure it is for me personally to be connected with these people," said Frates. "It's a rush of euphoria, there's a little bit of pain, but can you imagine the suffering that an ALS patient goes through each and every day?"

Last Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill designating the first week of August as a time to honor Pete Frates.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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