Pete Frates ALS Hero

“Be passionate, be genuine, be hardworking, and don’t ever be afraid to be great.”

The Peter Frates ALS Foundation

The Peter Frates ALS Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by ALS by providing essential patient care, supporting innovative research for a cure, and educating communities to drive awareness and action. Through critical fundraising and advocacy, we accelerate progress in the fight to end ALS.

A man sits in a chair getting drenched with water from a bucket while others watch and smile around him. They are wearing red shirts, and it appears to be a sunny day at a baseball field.
0
in Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS research

Pete’s Story

A former Captain of the Boston College baseball team and professional baseball player in Europe, Pete Frates was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2012, at the age of 27. Since his diagnosis, Pete has enjoyed the strength and support of his family and new bride, Julie. Pete and Julie were married in June of 2013, and together they, as well as his whole family, have taken an active role in raising awareness and funds for ALS research.

ALS Resources

We’re committed to building out our website with top ALS Resources. Please utilize the following links:

Financial Assistance

For out of pocket home health care assistance for progressed patients

Donate to 501C3

All donations are tax deductible and truly impact ALS patients in need.

Partners

We’re blessed to have such strong partners carry out our mission and Pete’s legacy.

Education

Learn more about ALS with some of the most common questions on our Education page.

Man in a wheelchair wearing a "Boston College Baseball" shirt surrounded by people in red and white uniforms labeled "Eagles.

ALS Education

Have questions about ALS? We’ve created a specific Education page that can help answer any of the common FAQs about the disease.

A man in a wheelchair, wearing a "Frates 3" jersey, is greeted by another man in sunglasses at a baseball game. Other people around them are smiling and watching.

ALS Donations

Every donation helps. As a 501C3, your donations are tax deductible and helping contribute to ALS patients that need financial assistance. 

Gallery

A man in a hoodie and hat, a woman with long blonde hair, and a young girl with a bow in her hair, all smile together in a close, family-like pose.
Four men posing together in front of a Boston Bruins logo backdrop. One man sits in a wheelchair wearing a Boston Bruins shirt while the other three stand beside him, smiling.
A woman in a pink dress and a man in a suit with a pink bow tie are standing close together, both smiling at the camera.
Three people are on a football field at Gillette Stadium. One person in a wheelchair is interacting with a man in a suit, while another person wearing a hat stands next to them, smiling.
A baseball player in a white uniform prepares to bat, standing in a batting stance with a bat held back and ready to swing. Two teammates are sitting in the dugout in the background.
A young boy and an older man stand closely together, smiling at the camera in front of a brick wall. The boy is wearing a light grey shirt, and the man is in a patterned blue button-up shirt.
Three men pose in an office. The man in the middle, in a wheelchair, wears a red number 2 sports jersey and cap. The man on the left wears a maroon sweater, and the man on the right wears a maroon sports jersey.
A baseball player, surrounded by his team, holds up a trophy triumphantly on a field under stadium lights.
A stack of books titled "The Ice Bucket Challenge" by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, with a cover image of a man in a wheelchair being doused with ice water.

The Ice Bucket Challenge: Pete Frates and the Fight against ALS

While everyone knows of the Ice Bucket Challenge, the viral craze that swept the nation in summer 2014, too few know the truly inspirational story behind it. Pete Frates was a man at war with his own body. A man whose love for others was unshakable. A man who refused to fight alone, and in so doing mobilized a global army to combat one of the most devastating diseases on earth: ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. When disease crippled Frates, the former Boston College baseball star turned tragedy into inspiration. Pete’s story is a testament to the power of love, the steadfastness of family, the generosity of strangers, and the compassion of crowds.

Upcoming Events

  • A group of baseball players in red and white uniforms kneels in a circle on a baseball field, arms around each other, with a stadium and spectators in the background.

    27 APR

    Boston College ALS Awareness Game

    Join us at Fenway for the Boston College ALS Awareness […]

    Location Icon

    Fenway Park, 4 Jersey St, Boston, MA, United States

  • Harpoon 23rd Annual 5-Miler Presented by Puma event banner under a tent with string lights.

    18 MAY

    Harpoon 5-Miler

    Join us May 18th for the Harpoon 5-Miler presented by […]

    Location Icon

    Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA, United States

  • Logo for the ASICS Falmouth Road Race 2025 featuring a lighthouse, anchor, and red circle background.

    17 AUG

    Falmouth Road Race

    Join Us on August 17, 2025 for the 53rd running […]

Simple Steps of Financial Assistance

1

Complete Short Application

The first part of the application process is filling our the short questionnaire from ALS patient.

2

Upload Letter of Diagnosis

The second part is uploading the letter/document of ALS diagnosis.

3

Additional Information

Third is any supporting information and estimated cost details about the need (caregiving/nursing out of pocket expenses).