Largest Simultaneous Ice Bucket Challenge Back At Empire City Casino

YONKERS, NY — Before his death in 2020, Pat Quinn helped create and champion the now familiar ALS Ice Bucket challenge. It's only fitting that his hometown will once again host what is being billed as the largest simultaneous ice bucket challenge ever.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino and the family of ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder/late Yonkers native Pat Quinn have announced that the 2022 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will take place on Sunday, July 31. The festivities will start trackside at the Empire City Casino, at 1 p.m. The ice bucket dump is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The event, co-founded by Quinn after his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2013, became a worldwide phenomenon in 2014, when thousands of people participated in the challenge via social media.

The annual Ice Bucket Challenge will be held outdoors trackside, will be free to participate in and attendees of all ages will be welcome (entrance into Empire City Casino is limited to those 18 and older). Walk-up registration will be available on the day of the event, before 1 p.m.

Quinn lost his battle with ALS in November 2020, yet his drive and determination live on through his family, friends, community and beyond to raise awareness and find a cure for the approximately 20,000 Americans who currently suffer from ALS. Approximately 5,000 people across the U.S. are newly diagnosed with the disease annually. Leading the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge charge this year will be Quinn’s dad, Patrick Quinn Sr., who continues to pay tribute to his son and ensure that his mission continues.

"I'm so grateful for the continued support of Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino, and the entire City of Yonkers as we march onward towards a cure," Patrick Quinn, Sr. said. "The community that Pat has been able to build to raise awareness for ALS research and his Quinn for the Win - Find Your Smile Foundation is nothing short of remarkable. Pat laid the groundwork to find a cure, and now it’s our job to finish his mission and find a cure to defeat ALS once and for all. I look forward to seeing everyone on July 31st and appreciate the continued support."

ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. With no known cure yet, Quinn began the Ice Bucket Challenge to put ALS "on ice" by raising awareness and funding for research. The challenge helped inspire billions of dollars in donations for ALS research, which has helped produce significant discoveries and breakthroughs. One example is experimental therapy with the drug Albrioza, which could potentially provide a new treatment option for the disease.

A recent Oregon State University study demonstrated that a copper compound can help slow the progression of ALS after recent testing in mice. Just a few years ago, researchers discovered a new gene associated with ALS that may hold the key to one day finding a cure. There is also new technology allowing individuals affected by ALS to regain their voice.

"Pat Quinn’s fight and determination to combat this horrible disease has been so inspirational and we are proud to carry on his legacy," Mayor Spano said. "Pat and his organization, Quinn For The Win, have courageously and selflessly turned his battle with ALS into one of the most successful social media fundraising movements this world has ever seen. We encourage everyone to join us on July 31st so we can continue the fight to find a cure for ALS."

Since 2015, Empire City Casino has hosted the annual challenge, except during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Yonkers donates buckets and the stage for the event and organizes the online registration for participants. Empire City underwrites the cost of the event and donates the space, staffing and over 1,300 pounds of ice.

"Pat Quinn was as tough as they come in his courageous pursuit of a cure, a legacy Empire City Casino is committed to upholding in continuing his fight for awareness and a cure for ALS patients all around the world," Empire City Casino General Manager Ed Domingo said. "We are incredibly humbled to be part of a community that always shows up and supports each other, and we will continue to do our part."

More information about the event can be found on the City of Yonkers website and the Quinn 4 the Win website.

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (off I-87 at Central Avenue) in Yonkers.

SEE ALSO:

• Iona Alum Pat Quinn Will Give Posthumous Commencement Address
• Empire Casino Will Host Ice Bucket Challenge With Special Guests