‘Ice Bucket Challenge Week’ eyed by pols to honor Frates
Pete Frates has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for ALS research, and now his local state rep wants to honor his courage by dedicating an annual week next month as the “Ice Bucket Challenge Week.”
Frates attained celebrity status by enlisting millions of people to fight ALS with the Ice Bucket Challenge. The philanthropic endeavor caught fire on the internet in 2014 as people dumped buckets of ice water over their heads and announced charitable donations for the cause. It drew famous participants such as LeBron James and Bill Gates.
State rep. Jerald A. Parisella (D-Beverly) introduced the bill with state Sen. Joan B. Lovely (D-Beverly) to honor Frates and his family for all they have done to raise money and awareness for the cause, Parisella said.
“They took what is a very difficult circumstance and made a positive impact on so many people. And there is hope for future victims of ALS that there could be some sort of treatment,” Parisella said. “The courage Pete Frates has shown — I thought it was important to keep that courage alive for future generations.”
The bill has passed the House and is expected to go to a vote in the Senate today, Parisella said.
William Pitman, a spokesman for Gov. Charlie Baker, said in an email that the governor, who took the Ice Bucket Challenge himself, will gladly sign the bill once it reaches his desk.
“Gov. Baker was pleased to support Pete Frates and his family by hosting the Ice Bucket Challenge at the State House to raise awareness and resources for those battling ALS, and looks forward to seeing this bill reach his desk as a fitting tribute,” Pitman said.
Relatives of Frates could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Frates, a former captain of the Boston College baseball team, was 27 in March 2012 when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The ALS Association reported the challenge raised $115 million during a two-month period in 2014, of which $77 million was devoted to research.
Frates continues to fight the disease. And his family is now focused on raising cash to ease the financial burden on families like them caring for relatives with ALS. Frates’ family has said it cost roughly $2,500 a day to care for him.
Through the Peter Frates Home Health Initiative, a pilot program of the ALS Association, $1 million has been raised. The ALS Association of Massachusetts said it plans on doling out money raised to a minimum of three patients to pay for their health care needs for a year, and the Frates family is hoping to be one of them.
Meantime, donors can contribute directly to the family at PeteFrates.com.