Frates family honored as Beverly Hometown Heroes

BEVERLY, Mass. — A beloved Beverly family joined Boston 25 News Friday morning to talk about all they’ve done to raise money and awareness for ALS.

The family of now-famous Boston College Alumnus Pete Frates has been at the forefront of the battle against ALS, a disease Pete has been battling publicly.

To the Frates family, Beverly is more than just a community.

“This community has supported us from day one and the largest viral sensation in the history of mankind would have never happened without the support of the Beverly community,” said John Frates.

He’s talking here about the Ice Bucket Challenge, the viral sensation Pete started that is estimated to have raised hundreds of millions for ALS research.

Since that 2014 inspiration, Frates has been quietly fighting the disease and was recently hospitalized with an infection.

“He is struggling with another infection of the lung, but they hope now that they've found the right antibiotic to go in there and tweak it,” John Frates said.

“He's unbelievable. He's a warrior,” Pete’s mom, Nancy Frates, added.

The community behind him rallied again Friday to honor the Frates family as Boston 25’s Beverly Hometown Heroes – for a community and beyond.

MORE: Despite death reports, Pete Frates 'resting comfortably in hospital'

Cox Media Group