Patrick Quinn's viral campaign raised more than £165 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease or motor neurone disease. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, called ALS in the US, on March 8, 2013, according to his Facebook page. Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 people in the US may have motor neurone disease, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated five per cent to 10 per cent of motor neurone disease cases are believed to be hereditary, but the cause is unknown and there is no cure. Among Quinn's many honors for raising awareness of motor neurone disease and promoting research was a nomination with fellow motor neurone disease activist Peter Frates as "Person of the Year" by Time magazine.

Source: Daily Mirror November 22, 2020 22:03 UTC