Image Source: Nick Animation/Youtube
Stephen Hillenberg is the man behind one of the most popular cartoons to ever come out of the 90s —Spongebob Squarepants, and he has recently admitted that he has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS.
According to Variety, Hillenberg released a statement:
"I wanted people to hear directly from me that I have been diagnosed with ALS… Anyone who knows me knows that I will continue to work on SpongeBob SquarePants and my other passions for as long as I am able. My family and I are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. We ask that our sincere request for privacy be honored during this time."
ALS was getting a lot of attention back in 2014 thanks to the viral Ice Bucket Challenge campaign. ALS is a neuro-degenerative disease which can cause damage to neurons that control motor functions. There hasn't been a cure discovered yet, and life expectancy after diagnosis is very short.
Spongebob Squarepants is one of the longest running series for Nickelodeon, and it's about to surpass the 200-episode mark. Whatever happens in the future, Hillenberg can know that his work has helped define a generation, and his legacy has already cemented itself in popular culture.
See Also: Disney XD's Big Hero 6 Has Been Renewed For A Second Season - And It Hasn't Even Premiered Yet
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