HomeBenjamin Kennedy
Florida Alpha - University of Florida
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to My Personal Iron Phi Page
This year, I'll be attempting to become an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my Fraternity. 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.
The net proceeds will support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening and treatment. It will also help strengthen an organization (Phi Delta Theta) that has had a lasting impact on my life.
On February 17th of this year I will set out at 6:30 AM to achieve a goal of mine that I've had for a long time, and that is to compete in the Daytona Beach Half-Marathon. I will take to the track in a different form this time and it will be without four tires beneath me. The past two years I have become an avid runner and competitor. I always like to challenge myself to be the absolute best and a half-marathon has always been on my list of things to complete. I think this is where I got some of my father's genes. He was always an amazing athlete and competed in several running/triathlon events throughout his lifetime, not to mention the brutal Half-Iron Man, a triathlon that challenges the best athletes both physically and mentally to dig deep and find something they didn't know was possible. This race may not include the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, or the 13 mile run, but it will be something special to me and my family as I will take to Daytona International Speedway the next two days competing in the UNOH Battle of the Beach. This will be my very first time racing at the famed, and very special, Daytona International Speedway racing in the inaugural event for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series on Tuesday, February 19th at 7:30PM.
I'm going to dedicate this race to a very special friend of mine, Annette, who means the world to my family and me. I have probably know Annette for as long as I've been alive and to have grown up around her and her family means a lot to me and has even shaped me as the person I am today. I can tell you that every time I get to see her with her bright smile on her face, it really makes my day something special and I know many others would say the same. Her generosity and caring personality along with her enthusiastic attitude really makes her one of a kind and a great friend to our family. Just a few years ago, however, she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, which sunk everyone?s hearts to the floor. ALS is something very serious and its a shame for it to happen to such a great person. I really look up to Annette when living my life and I'm sure my mom does too. Every time I see her she still has that bright, shining smile on her face that just makes your day every time. She lives her life to the fullest and has accomplished so much in her amazing life. It is truly incredible to know someone that strong, that is battling something like this, who still can wake up each day and put her best foot forward. I cannot thank everyone enough for your generosity and I can't tell you just how much this means to me. I look forward to the run and supporting the ALS association to help find a cure. Thank you so much.
According to The ALS Association's web site, 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. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi. To do something bold about Lou Gehrig's disease.
I've set my personal goal at $9,696. So I need your help. You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer.
I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Ben Kennedy
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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.”
