HomeDaniel Sylvester
New Hampshire Beta - Southern New Hampshire University
My Iron Phi Story
Help Me Fight ALS as I Spread Awareness by Climbing Mountains
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 changed my life profoundly. I have been the Recruitment Chair of the NH Beta Chapter since I joined (an executive board position) as well as the Chaplin (spiritual leader) and have found much success in revitalising my chapter. We have more than doubled the chapter size. I have come to rely on my brothers heavily and they hold me to a very high standard. It is truly a second family. I came to SNHU after a two year run at Franklin Pierce University where I struggled with depression. Upon coming into this chapter I have experienced an immnese amount of personal growth and I now work to spread that same positivity to as many people as I can by expanding my brotherhood and working to be an embodiment of its values.
To spread awareness of my fundraising I will be begining my journey to summit all 48 of New Hampshire's 4000 foot mountains. I will be climbing atleast one a week and aim to climb atleast ten this summer (hopefully!)
Mountains and the experience of summiting them has always been a very special thing to me. Each mountain presents different challenges and a person can take the lessons you learn during your ascent and descent and bring them back to the challenges you may face in life. I am a nature lover and aspiring biologist and I cannot think of any other place I would rather be than on the top of a mountain, takng in the view.
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 $1000. I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation 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. Contact me and I can send you the proper address.
I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. I will be documenting my journey on my instagram @dansylvester12 as well as facebook if you wish to keep up!
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Daniel Sylvester
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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.”
