HomeWill Pride
Kentucky Eta - Western Kentucky University
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to The Will Pride's Iron Phi Page
It's finally going to happen. I'm finally going to do it. I have attempted to complete the Iron Phi Challenge a few times in the past; however, due to a major lack of follow through on my part, nothing has ever come to fruition. With a new found sense of duty and enthusiasm combined with the fact that I am older, wiser, and more mature than at the times of my previous attempts, 2026 is the year that I step up and do something BOLD about Lou Gehrig's disease (also known as ALS).
For those that are unaware, Iron Phi is a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my fraternity (there are also a few friends of the fraternity that share this distinction, my sister being one of them). This distinction is given to those upon completion of their Iron Phi Challenge, consisting of both a physical component and a fundraising component. The mission of Iron Phi is to strengthen the impact Phi Delta Theta has on the fight against ALS and the help raise awareness of the disease.
For my Iron Phi Challenge, I will be walking the Island of Manhattan. That's right. You read that correctly. I will be walking the length of Manhattan, end to end, in its entirety. Starting at Inwood Hill Park and finishing at The Battery, this trek is an estimated 13 miles long. I initially got the idea to do this last summer after watching to men do it during a live stream on YouTube (S/O to Rone and The Wonton Don from Barstool Sports). My father, who is already an Iron Phi, will be accompanying me as well. Right now, the goal is for my urban adventure to occur on Sunday, March 15th (weather permitting). Nonetheless, it will happen between March 14th and 20th. I will be posting images and vides on social media to document my progress.
ALS 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 eventually leads to death. The average life expectancy of individuals after symptoms develop is 2 to 5 years. Approximately 5,000 to 6,400 people are diagnosed with ALS in the United states each year, equating to roughly 15 new cases diagnosed daily.
I need your help. Please consider making a donation. Big or small, any amount helps. You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer. Please be sure to leave your name too, so that I may properly thank you. Also, please consider sharing this page. The more people see it, the more people become aware of ALS and Iron Phi. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity, and I hope that I inspire you to become an Iron Phi yourself!
Sincerely,
THE Will Pride, KY Eta, Bond #890
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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.”
