In a very unfortunate turn of events, Corey Griffin, one of the founders of the now viral ALS ice bucket challenge, has passed away last week. Griffin drowned while on a diving trip in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Griffin was only 27.

The young philanthropist help make the ice bucket challenge a worldwide phenomenon when he got involved with ALS research after his close friend Pete Frates was diagnosed with the disease. Griffin reportedly dove off a building in a wharf and into the water and subsequently drowned. The place is commonly used by locals to dive off from to get into the water.

Before the ALS ice bucket craze took off a few weeks ago, Griffin had been working for the cause since 2012 when Frates was first diagnosed and had been actively organising events and other gimmicks to raise funds. Last week alone, just prior to his death, Griffin raised over $100,000 for ALS research through fundraising activities.

Griffin is no stranger to making money as he was once a valued employee of Bain Capital Ventures, a reputable capital venture company. He eventually became director of strategic initiatives at Risk Assistance Network + Exchange, or RANE.

An Obituary at the Boston Globe further details his involvement in other charitable institutions such as the "NHL Alumni Pro-Am Charity Hockey Tournament" and the "Champions for Children's," an annual fund-raiser for Boston Children's Hospital

Ironically, Pete Frates outlived his healthy friend and is now expecting a child. In a feature also on Boston Globe, Frates is now said to be unable to walk and talk due to the muscle atrophy and general weakness caused by the neurodegenerative disease. He is also now having difficulty swallowing and as the disease becomes more advances, he will be needing a ventilator to help him breathe when his body can no longer do so on its own.

Since the ice bucket challenge took off on social media last month, the campaign has reportedly raised close to $23 million which will go towards finding a cure for the disease. Hundreds of A-list celebrities and Athletes have already taken part in the challenge including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Charlie Sheen, Oprah, Justin Bieber and even George Bush, Bill Gates and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.