HomeAlex Shannon
Ohio Epsilon - University of Akron
My Iron Phi Story
Alex Shannon's Iron Phi Page
This year I want to start my designation as an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. As you may know, the fraternity has been very influential in my life since starting college. The mission of Iron Phi is 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. Lou Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and our organization has taken an active role in finding a cure.
If you don't know anything about ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. It 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.
So, here is my story...I like to set goals for myself and face new challenges. I started getting into running when I ran in the Memorial Day 5k in May with my mom. This was a new experience for me and my first organized run. Over the summer, I would take my dad's bike out and ride down to the bike trail because it was something new and fun. In October, I participated in a relay team for the Akron Marathon so I continued more of running in events. This past Christmas, my brother, cousin's boyfriend and I were talking about doing some kind of running, biking, swimming event in the summer. I was interested and when I thought more about it, I thought it would be a great experience for myself to face this new challenge and to help raise money for ALS with the Iron Phi program. I would love the opportunity to do something I like doing while helping someone who has ALS. I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the Kungle family in Copley where Penny suffers from ALS and MS so this is near and dear to me on a personal level.
Munroe Falls is hosting their 7th Annual Triathalon/Duathalon. I will be participating in the Duathalon, which is 1.5 mile running, 12 miles biking, and finishing with 3 miles of running. This is a great challenge for me as I progress into doing more events such as this.
I've set my personal goal at $1000. This is something I believe I can do but I need the support of my friends and family. Would you please consider making a donation to help this great cause and support me in pariticpating in this event (donations by US residents are tax-deducitble)? This is something that would have a great impact on someone who has ALS and 100% of the net proceeds will pay for research, education, screening, and treatment of a patient. You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer. You can also send a check made out to Iron Phi to me at 857 Locust Drive, Tallmadge, OH 44278 if you'd rather donate that way.
I hope that you'll share this adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Alex Shannon
How Does My Donation Make a Difference?
Your donation towards an Iron Phi athlete equally supports two very important things: Supporting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research and support of ALS families and leadership development for undergraduate members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
At the end of each year calendar year, the LiveLikeLou Foundation grants dollars raised through Iron Phi to fund its initiatives that support ALS research, scholarships to support the higher education goals of ALS dependents, and summer camp experiences for children who have a parent or grandparent with ALS.
Dollars used for undergraduate leadership development have and continue to help Phi Delta Theta educate more of its undergraduate members as they work to “Become the Greatest Version of Themselves.”
