Ice Bucket Challenge founder Pete Frates is back in hospital as he battles ALS, his family says after false claims he had died sweep the internet
Pete Frates' family asked his supporters to keep the "superhero" campaigner in their prayers
ICE Bucket Challenge founder Pete Frates is back in hospital as he continues to battle ALS like a "superhero", his family said.
His family confirmed that Frates is "resting comfortably" in hospital as they denied earlier false reports that the brave campaigner had died which swept the internet.
Journalist Mike Barnicle posted an incorrect tweet on Monday morning stating that Frates, 32, had died after claiming to have spoken to a family friend.
But he has since removed the tweet and apologised after the false story was picked up by news outlets across the world.
Barnicle tweeted, saying: "CORRECTION: Family friend of Peter Frates told me had passed at 32. He was wrong and I was doubly wrong to tweet it. Thank God I was wrong."
Frates' family also took to Facebook to contradict the journalist's false claim.
"Pete's family wants everyone to know that Pete is resting comfortably at MGH as the Doctors, medicine, prayers and love continue to help him get stronger," the post read.
"Thank you for all your concern."
Frates, 32, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as motor neurone disease and Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2012 - the same year he married wife Julie.
Since then, he has inspired 17 million people around the world to dump buckets of ice water over their heads to raise millions of pounds for ALS research.
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The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than £169million when it took off worldwide on social media in 2014.
It raised awareness about the disease that weakens muscles, causes cramps and makes walking difficult.
