Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Creator Patrick Quinn Dies at Age 37

Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37. (Reuters)
Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37. (Reuters)
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Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Creator Patrick Quinn Dies at Age 37

Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37. (Reuters)
Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37. (Reuters)

Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37, seven years after his diagnosis, supporters announced on Facebook.

Quinn, who was born and grew up in Yonkers, New York, was co-founder of the campaign that raised more than $220 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, his Facebook page said.

He was diagnosed with ALS on March 8, 2013, according to his Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning,” his supporters said on Facebook. “We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS.”

Condolences to the Quinn family poured in on social media, with many expressing gratitude for the spotlight he drew to the disease and the need to find a cure.

The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in the summer of 2014, when people around the world posted videos and photos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for ALS research.

Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 Americans may have ALS, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 5% to 10% of ALS 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 ALS and promoting research was a nomination with fellow ALS activist Peter Frates as “Person of the Year” by Time magazine. Frates died last year at age 34, seven years after his diagnosis.



SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection

SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection
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SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection

SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection

The General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) is set to launch a new environmental initiative titled “Adopt a Coral” this Saturday. The initiative aims to involve community members in the restoration of coral reefs and raise awareness of the importance of their sustainability as part of national efforts to protect the Kingdom’s marine environment.

This initiative aligns with SHAMS’ goals of enhancing community partnership and increasing public involvement in marine conservation. It also supports Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainability objectives and complements national programs such as the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to reduce ecosystem degradation and preserve biodiversity, SPA reported.

SHAMS emphasized that the initiative is the result of years of field experience in coral reef restoration. The organization has demonstrated its capabilities in accurately identifying degraded reef areas using scientific indicators, developing innovative restoration techniques, and implementing long-term monitoring programs to assess ecological recovery.

The “Adopt a Coral” initiative offers various opportunities for public participation, including hands-on involvement in coral planting following specialized field training, attending awareness workshops and events that highlight threats to coral reefs such as climate change and marine pollution.

These opportunities empower the diving community to engage in reef monitoring and environmental advocacy, and foster a shared sense of responsibility by enabling individuals and groups to “adopt” coral as a symbol of ongoing environmental commitment.

The first phase of the initiative will be carried out at a designated coral reef site along the Red Sea coast, with participation from volunteers, divers, and environmental enthusiasts. SHAMS plans to expand the initiative in future phases to ensure long-term ecological impact and sustainable community engagement.

Coral reefs in the Red Sea are a vital artery for marine ecosystems, a rich source of biodiversity, and a key driver of economic and eco-tourism activity. In response to growing environmental challenges, the initiative emerges as a forward-thinking model of community engagement in the restoration of sensitive ecosystems. Through this program, SHAMS seeks to redefine environmental protection by directly connecting the public with the stewardship of this valuable natural resource.