PHILANTHROPY

MISSION

To strengthen the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the impact it has on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease through the fundraising and athletic efforts of its members.

ABOUT IRON PHI

Iron Phi was developed as a way to strengthen both Phi Delta Theta and its impact on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease. Through the fundraising efforts of members of Phi Delta Theta on the way to achieving personal athletic goals, the Fraternity is mobilizing its members in a very positive way.

To become an "Iron Phi", members of Phi Delta Theta (both undergraduates and alumni) must select an athletic endeavor of their choice (any type of athletic event is eligible), raise $1,000 through the Iron Phi website, and accomplish the athletic endeavor itself.Lou Gehrig was known as the "Iron Horse" during his baseball career because of his durability and perseverance. His prowess as a hitter, consecutive games-played record (2,130), and never-give-up attitude after being stricken with ALS inspired those around him. In the spirit of Brother Gehrig, the name Iron Phi was given to the initiative to encourage those involved to remembers Lou's approach to life when setting out to achieve something.

ABOUT LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.