(CNN) A man who helped inspire a multimillion-dollar movement to help find a cure for ALS has died.

Pete Frates, 34, was one of the most recognizable faces of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral sensation that swept the Internet in 2014 and raised more than $115 million for ALS research.

"Today Heaven received our angel: Peter Frates," his family announced in a statement released by Boston College . He was 34 years old and died peacefully "after a heroic battle with ALS," the statement said.

Inspiring millions

A former college baseball player -- he was the captain of the Boston College baseball team during his senior year in 2006 and 2007 -- Frates was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in 2012.

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