Reaction overwhelms Ice Bucket Challenge creator

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Yonkers, N.Y., native Pat Quinn says he's been absolutely overwhelmed — and thrilled — with the onslaught of media attention his Ice Bucket Challenge has gotten in recent days.

"It's been pretty incredible," Quinn said Monday while waiting for a ride from his Queens home into Manhattan for an appearance on "Entertainment Tonight." "We've raised so much awareness of ALS — and that's what we wanted. I couldn't imagine it would be like this. It's been unbelievable."

Last year, Quinn, who is 31, was diagnosed with ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. To raise money and awareness about the disease, which has no cure, he launched the Ice Bucket Challenge campaign on social media with the help of his friend, former Boston College baseball captain Pete Frates, who also has ALS. Frates can no longer walk or speak.

As part of the challenge, people all across the country are dumping buckets of icy water on their heads and then challenging two or three friends, on video, to do the same within the next 24 hours — or pay $100 to an ALS charity.

As of Monday, the ALS Association reports that it has received $15.6 million in donations compared to $1.8 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to Aug. 18). These donations have come from existing donors and 307,598 new donors.

On Friday, Quinn appeared live on the air to help douse the "Good Morning America" anchors.

"We're not just in Yonkers anymore," he said with a laugh. "I'm doing OK so far," he said. "My arms and hands are pretty weak. I've lost a lot of muscle. I'm in constant neck pain — it's not the worst thing, but it's difficult."