An American man who helped drive the global phenomenon known as the Ice Bucket Challenge to tackle a deadly neurodegenerative disease has died at the age of 37, his team said Sunday.

Patrick Quinn, from New York state, was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2013.

"It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning," his team wrote in a post in Quinn's ALS advocacy Facebook group, "Quinn for the Win."

"We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS."

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Quinn did not start the Ice Bucket Challenge, which took social media by storm in 2014, but he and his family and friends helped it become a global phenomenon.

Millions took up the challenge, which involved dousing themselves with a bucket of ice cold water and posting the video online, before making a donation to medical research and daring others to do the same.&nbsp;

A galaxy of celebrities, high-profile personalities and entire sports teams took part in the challenge, including Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates and even former US president George W. Bush.

The campaign has reportedly raised $220 million to fund research into ALS, whose sufferers' bodies slowly shut down as their nervous systems degenerate.

The condition, officially known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease after a baseball player who died of it in 1941.

Pete Frates, a former US college baseball player diagnosed with ALS who also inspired the ice bucket challenge, died last year at the age of 34.

An American man who helped drive the global phenomenon known as the Ice Bucket Challenge to tackle a deadly neurodegenerative disease has died at the age of 37, his team said Sunday.

An American man who helped drive the global phenomenon known as the Ice Bucket Challenge to tackle a deadly neurodegenerative disease has died at the age of 37, his team said Sunday. Patrick Quinn, from New York state, was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2013. "It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning," his team wrote in a post in Quinn's ALS advocacy Facebook group, "Quinn for the Win." "We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS." Also read| 'Life is short': Jetman Vince Reffet dies in a training exercise Quinn did not start the Ice Bucket Challenge, which took social media by storm in 2014, but he and his family and friends helped it become a global phenomenon. Millions took up the challenge, which involved dousing themselves with a bucket of ice cold water and posting the video online, before making a donation to medical research and daring others to do the same. A galaxy of celebrities, high-profile personalities and entire sports teams took part in the challenge, including Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates and even former US president George W. Bush. The campaign has reportedly raised $220 million to fund research into ALS, whose sufferers' bodies slowly shut down as their nervous systems degenerate. The condition, officially known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease after a baseball player who died of it in 1941. Pete Frates, a former US college baseball player diagnosed with ALS who also inspired the ice bucket challenge, died last year at the age of 34.

US Ice Bucket Challenge activist dies aged 37

The inspiration behind the famed Ice Bucket challenge which took social media by storm in 2014 has died at the age of 34 years.

Pete Frates, the force behind it, was diagnosed with ALS, a motor neuron disease in 2012.

Thousands of people across the globe participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge, which helped raise awareness about the incurable disease.

The Ice Bucket Challenge was initiated five years ago. The idea behind it was simple, dump a bucket of ice water on yourself or others to promote awareness of motor neuron disease: ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Many celebrities joined the movement. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Lady Gaga were among many to pursue the movement and to nominate their friends.

Frates' movement was able to spread awareness about the disease and raised more than $200 million worldwide to help fight the disease.

A former college baseball star, Frates was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 27 in 2012.

ALS is a progressive and fatal disease which impairs nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.&nbsp;

As of now, no cure exists.

Frates chronicled his journey on Twitter, becoming a source of inspiration for many. 
 
He changed the discourse from surviving to thriving. 
&nbsp;

The inspiration behind the famed Ice Bucket challenge which took social media by storm in 2014 has died at the age of 34 years. Pete Frates, the force behind it, was diagnosed with ALS, a motor neuron disease in 2012.

The inspiration behind the famed Ice Bucket challenge which took social media by storm in 2014 has died at the age of 34 years. Pete Frates, the force behind it, was diagnosed with ALS, a motor neuron disease in 2012. Thousands of people across the globe participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge, which helped raise awareness about the incurable disease. The Ice Bucket Challenge was initiated five years ago. The idea behind it was simple, dump a bucket of ice water on yourself or others to promote awareness of motor neuron disease: ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Many celebrities joined the movement. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Lady Gaga were among many to pursue the movement and to nominate their friends. Frates' movement was able to spread awareness about the disease and raised more than $200 million worldwide to help fight the disease. A former college baseball star, Frates was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 27 in 2012. ALS is a progressive and fatal disease which impairs nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. As of now, no cure exists. Frates chronicled his journey on Twitter, becoming a source of inspiration for many. He changed the discourse from surviving to thriving.

Pete Frates, curator of famous Ice Bucket Challenge, dies at age of 34

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US Ice Bucket Challenge activist dies aged 37

Pete Frates, curator of famous Ice Bucket Challenge, dies at age of 34