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The man behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge passed away at 34

Pete Frates of Massachusetts was diagnosed with ALS in 2012.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Pete Frates, The man who inspired the ALS Ice bucket challenge has died at 34.

Pete Frates
In this Sept. 18, 2017, photo, Pete Frates, who is stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and is the inspiration of the Ice Bucket Challenge, listens to a guest at Fenway Park in Boston. Frates, whose challenge raised millions of dollars for research on Lou Gehrig's disease, is recovering from a health scare that landed him in the hospital. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Frates was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and made it his mission to raise awareness about the chronic disease. The Ice Bucket Challenge was shared on social media and quickly turned into a viral sensation.

Rob Manfred
FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2014 file photo, Major League Baseball Commissioner-elect Rob Manfred participates in the ALS Ice-Bucket Challenge outside the organization's headquarters in New York. Pete Frates, who was stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and inspired the Ice Bucket Challege, died Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. He was 34. (AP Photo/Vanessa A. Alvarez, File)

Celebrities such as Oprah, Lebron James, and Bill Gates all participated in the challenge.

Because of the Ice Bucket Challenge, more than $200 million dollar has been raised for ALS research.