Pete Frates returns home from brief hospital stay
He had been admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Christmas Eve for treatment of pneumonia.
Pete Frates, the former Boston College baseball player who has battled ALS for nearly seven years and has raised millions dollars to research the disease, was released from a Boston hospital on Saturday, his mother said.
Nancy Frates said her son had been admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Christmas Eve for treatment of pneumonia.
“We are very fortunate to have him home,’’ Nancy Frates said in a brief phone interview Saturday evening.
Pete Frates returned to his Beverly home one day after he turned 34-years-old, and just hours after hundreds participated in a fund-raising polar plunge at a Gloucester beach in his honor.
About 100 people jumped into frigid water at the 7th annual “Plunge 4 Pete’’ at Good Harbor Beach and about 300 others supported from the shore.
Nearly $40,000 was raised by plungers, some of whom formed teams with such playful names as “The Dry Guys’’ “Petes Peeps,’’ and “Freezing for Frates,’’ according to its web page.
“Team Threefold’’ appeared to raise the most money, netting $6,245, according to the web page. Several others raised more than $1,000, including the Harrison Wedding Splashers.
Linda and Mark Harrison celebrated their fifth anniversary on Saturday the same way they have every other year, “ . . . by jumping into the frigid Atlantic Ocean to show our love and support for Pete Frates and his family as well as to raise money and awareness for ALS research.’’ the couple wrote on their fund-raising page.
“It was a joyful celebration of hope,’’ Nancy Frates said.
Pete Frates was diagnosed with ALS, which is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in 2012. He became the inspiration for The Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised more than $250 million for ALS research.
He was resting at home Saturday evening.
“He is in bed watching a movie with his wife and daughter,’’ Nancy Frates said. “Very happy to be home.’’
