Nancy Frates
On March 13, 2011, Nancy Frates' 27-year-old son Peter was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). Their world changed in a moment. They were told that there is no treatment or cure and the prognosis was two to five years. Driven by the unacceptability of her son's disease, Nancy has immersed herself in the ALS community. Through her education and work experience, she knew that the best way to become knowledgeable and currently informed on ALS was to get to know the players and the institutions that were on the forefront of this disease. In the past three years, Nancy has traveled to and networked with the offices of CEOs, senators, congressmen, top doctors and governmental authorities. She has testified in Washington, D.C., to an FDA panel and has initiated and executed petitions regarding important issues affecting the ALS communities. Nancy has developed strong relationships with executives at both the local and national levels of ALS organizations involved in research, patient support, advocacy and fundraising. Nancy, along with other family members, runs the Pete Frates #3 Fund. This fund, started by a group of her family and friends, raises money to aid Pete in his battle with the disease. After Pete's diagnosis, they learned that as the disease progresses, the average cost for an ALS patient to live with the disease is $280,000 per year. Team Frate Train, as Pete's supporters are known, has grown over the past couple of years. They have a website, sell Frate Train Gear and run marquee events for the fund as well as supporting ALS organizations through their events.
In August 2014, Pete, along with his family and supporters, inspired the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to go viral, raising $220 million for the ALS Association and its global partners. During that August and the months following, Nancy has done many domestic and international television, magazine and website interviews. She has also been speaking at many events both domestically and internationally, inspiring others with their story and continuing the momentum created for the ALS cause.
A lifelong resident of Beverly, MA, Nancy graduated from the Boston College Carroll School of Management in 1980. She and her husband owned three beloved small businesses. In 1998, she sold those businesses and received her real estate license. Nancy currently works as an assistant team leader and trainer for Keller Williams Realty, and also manages the affairs of the Pete Frates #3 Fund. Recently, Nancy was appointed to the National Board of Trustees for the ALS Association. She and her husband John have three children and two grandchildren.
On March 13, 2011, Nancy Frates' 27-year-old son Peter was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). Their world changed in a moment. They were told that there is no treatment or cure and the prognosis was two to five years. Driven by the unacceptability of her son's disease, Nancy has immersed herself in the ALS community. Through her education and work experience, she knew that the best way to become knowledgeable and currently informed on ALS was to get to know the players and the institutions that were on the forefront of this disease. In the past three years, Nancy has traveled to and networked with the offices of CEOs, senators, congressmen, top doctors and governmental authorities. She has testified in Washington, D.C., to an FDA panel and has initiated and executed petitions regarding important issues affecting the ALS communities. Nancy has developed strong relationships with executives at both the local and national levels of ALS organizations involved in research, patient support, advocacy and fundraising. Nancy, along with other family members, runs the Pete Frates #3 Fund. This fund, started by a group of her family and friends, raises money to aid Pete in his battle with the disease. After Pete's diagnosis, they learned that as the disease progresses, the average cost for an ALS patient to live with the disease is $280,000 per year. Team Frate Train, as Pete's supporters are known, has grown over the past couple of years. They have a website, sell Frate Train Gear and run marquee events for the fund as well as supporting ALS organizations through their events.
In August 2014, Pete, along with his family and supporters, inspired the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to go viral, raising $220 million for the ALS Association and its global partners. During that August and the months following, Nancy has done many domestic and international television, magazine and website interviews. She has also been speaking at many events both domestically and internationally, inspiring others with their story and continuing the momentum created for the ALS cause.
A lifelong resident of Beverly, MA, Nancy graduated from the Boston College Carroll School of Management in 1980. She and her husband owned three beloved small businesses. In 1998, she sold those businesses and received her real estate license. Nancy currently works as an assistant team leader and trainer for Keller Williams Realty, and also manages the affairs of the Pete Frates #3 Fund. Recently, Nancy was appointed to the National Board of Trustees for the ALS Association. She and her husband John have three children and two grandchildren.
Mother of the Ice Bucket Challenge
Female Entrepreneurship
Driven by the unacceptability of her son's prognosis, Nancy Frates has utilized her business acumen, communication skills and mama bear drive to network, advocate and create worldwide awareness in the fight against ALS/MND. A graduate of Boston College, a long-time champion of entrepreneurial empowerment and a savvy businesswoman, herself, Nancy was able to face the adversity given her and her family with wisdom, tenacity and a truly visionary drive to fight, passionately.
