Singer Sean Establishes Nonprofit Foundation
ALS Care Hospital Construction Began Last Year
Park Seung-il, co-representative of the Seungil Hope Foundation, who continued to battle amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) after being diagnosed while working as a professional basketball coach, passed away on the 25th. He was 53 years old.
The Seungil Hope Foundation announced on the same day, "Co-representative Park Seung-il, who worked hard to raise awareness of the rare disease ALS and to establish ALS care hospitals for many patients and their families, passed away after a long 23-year battle with the disease. We sincerely pray for the repose of his soul."
Park Seung-il, co-CEO of Seungil Hope Foundation, at the professional basketball All-Star game held in January 2015. [Image source=Yonhap News]
He attended Daejeon High School and Yonsei University before joining the Kia basketball team and pursuing a career as a professional basketball player. During his active career, he was known for his imposing 2-meter stature. After studying abroad at Brigham Young University in the United States in 1999, he was appointed as the youngest coach of Ulsan Mobis in 2002 at the age of 31. However, just four months later, he was diagnosed with ALS and continued a long battle with the disease.
ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a rare disease in which motor neurons gradually disappear, eventually making it impossible to move the body. Neither the treatment nor the mechanism of onset has been clearly identified. As the disease progresses, even the muscles needed for breathing become paralyzed, leading to death.
About a year after his ALS diagnosis in 2002, Park said, "I don't know how much time I have left, but I don't want to spend that time meaninglessly," expressing his determination to "live for ALS patients."
In 2009, he published his book Writing Hope with My Eyes using an eye-tracking mouse computer, and in 2011, he co-founded the nonprofit Seungil Hope Foundation with singer Sean. Since then, he has promoted various fundraising activities for the construction of ALS care hospitals, including the "Ice Bucket Challenge."
Thanks to his efforts, the ALS care hospital broke ground last year and is scheduled to be completed this year. It was reported that he showed great passion by attending the groundbreaking ceremony in an ambulance.
The deceased’s funeral is being held in Room 10 on the 3rd floor of the funeral hall at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital. The funeral procession will take place at 7 a.m. on the 27th.
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