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Ice Bucket Challenge Creator Pete Frates Returns Home After Hospital Stay

The 32-year-old former Boston College baseball captain was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2012

The man who inspired the ice bucket challenge to raise millions of dollars for Lou Gehrig's disease research is back home after a spending over a week in the hospital.

"good to b home," Pete Frates tweeted on Wednesday afternoon, along with a picture showing him surrounded by family.

Frates, who has raised millions for ALS research, was hospitalized over the Fourth of July weekend.

The 32-year-old former Boston College baseball captain was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2012. The disease weakens muscles and impairs physical functioning. There is no known cure.

A new payroll tax to fund paid medical and family leave in Massachusetts went into effect Tuesday. Passed last year, the Paid Family and Medical Leave act allows employees to take up to 26 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons, such as bonding with a new child; managing family when a member is on active duty or serious health concerns.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than $220 million when it took off worldwide on social media in 2014.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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