The family of Pete Frates, the Massachusetts man who inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge that has raised millions of dollars for ALS research, has taken to social media to assure the world that, despite a social media report to the contrary, Pete is still alive, although he's currently in Massachusetts General Hospital battling the disease.

A Facebook post from the family of 32-year-old Frates posted on Sunday asked for prayers, stating Pete was at Mass General "and battling this beast ALS like a superhero."

Monday morning at around 8 a.m., former Boston Globe columnist Mike Barnicle tweeted that Frates had died, stating: "Pete Frates creator of Ice Bucket Challenge to raise millions for ALS cure is dead at 32. Courageous, huge inspiration, left memorable mark."

Shortly thereafter, Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley tweeted that he had spoken to Frates' family and that Pete was indeed still alive. The family then began posting on social media that Pete had not died.

Frates was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2012. He became famous around the world when he created the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 and it went viral, raising more than $220 million for ALS research.

Barnacle then deleted the original tweet, and then tweeted: "CORRECTION: Family friend of Peter Frates told me had passed at 32. He was wrong and I was doubly wrong to tweet it. Thank God I was wrong."

Barnacle, now part of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program, resigned from the Globe in 1998 after being accused of plagiarizing comedian George Carlin in one of his columns, and for possibly fabricating a story about a child dying of cancer in another.

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