HomeHarry Koufaliotis
North Carolina Epsilon - UNC, Charlotte
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to Harry Koufaliotis' 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.
In the fall of 2021, I had a complete tear of my ACL in a soccer game playing alongside my Phi Delta Theta brothers. I underwent knee reconstruction surgery a few days before christmas, and have been recovering ever since. While hearing about ACL tears is common to me due to my interest in multiple sports, going through it yourself is a completely different ballgame. The past month I have had to learn to regain control of my entire leg, and more specifically my quadricep muscle. Daily tasks such as putting on socks or standing up were extremely difficult to do at the start, but have improved as I have worked towards rehabilitaion and attended physical therapy. It was this event tht made me want to become an Iron Phi and raise money in the fight against ALS. While I may be able to overcome and return to my pre-injury state with time, ALS patients must live with the disease for the rest of their lives once diagnosed. Over the next 5 months I will be continuing to attend physical therapy as well as working out on my own with the end goal of being able to participate in sports again. While being an unorthodox athletic event, rehabilition is extremely challenging both physically and mentally. I aim to do everything I can to have a full rehabilitaion as soon as physically possible, and I aim to do my part to help others in their fight against ALS while I face this personal challenge.
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 $1,000.00 . So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of any amount (donations by US residents are tax-deducitble)? 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 10017 Pallisers Terrace 28210, Charllote NC. if you'd rather donate that way.
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,
Harry Koufaliotis, NC Epsilon #155
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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.”
