Corey Griffin, one of the founding members of the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge" died on 21 August, at the age of 27. Griffin, who helped the challenge become a global sensation, drowned after diving into water from the roof of a two-story building in Massachusetts.
Griffin, an East Coast investor, had been on the island to raise $100,000 for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research. He jumped into the water from the Juice Guys building, on 44 Straight Wharf - a popular diving spot in Nantucket Island, Massachusetts - on Saturday morning at around 2.00 AM.
"Griffin plunged into the water where he floated to the surface. Griffin then went under water again not resurfacing," the Nantucket Police Department said in a statement.
An off-duty lifeguard, Collin Perry, who happened to be nearby, was called to the scene to retrieve Griffin. After several dives, Griffin was rescued and taken to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, where, emergency responders performed CPR. However, at around 3.00 AM he was pronounced dead.
The humanitarian was one of the happiest people in the world, accoding to his father Robert Griffin. "He called me last night and told me he was in paradise." Robert told the Boston Globe, adding, "He cared about everybody else."
Griffin was inspired by his close friend Pete Frates, who was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2012, to help create the charitable "Ice Bucket Challenge" .
In fact, just a few weeks before his death, Griffin helped raise $100,000 for Pete Frates, who is also former Boston College baseball captain. In the facebook page Team Frate Train, a eulogy for Griffin was posted on 17 August:
"Team FrateTrain lost a good friend today, Corey Griffin.
Helping out was nothing new for Griff. He held his own event for me back in 2012, just a few months after diagnosis. He worked his butt off these last few weeks for ALS. We texted everyday, planning and scheming ways to raise funds and plan events.
Julie, myself, the Frates family and Team FrateTrain sends their love and support to the South Shore and the Griffin family.
God Bless.
RIP Corey."
The "Ice Bucket Challenge" has made people videotape themselves getting splashed by icy water and then challenge three other people to do the same or pledge $100 to ALS research. It has become a global phenomenon with everyone, from former American President George W Bush to Microsoft founder Bill Gates to rapper Iggy Azalea, drenching themselves in literally ice-cold water.
"The challenge is a creative way to spread ALS awareness via social media and in communities nationwide," Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association, said in a statement.
Since the launching of the the "Ice Bucket Challenge", donations to ALS association has multiplied manifold, and according to their website, ALSA has collected $41.8 million.
Currently, unfortunately there is no cure for ALS, and only one drug can slightly slow its progression, which is why it is important to donate to the ALS Association, which can funnel the donations into research and find a cure for this degenrative disease.
To make your own donations for ALS research, click here.
