HomeDavid Almacy
Pennsylvania Mu - Widener University
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to David Almacy's Iron Phi Page
As some of you may know, I currently serve as the General Council President of the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity. This year, as my two-year term comes to a close in June, 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 Phi Delta Theta 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. Tragically, our fight against ALS became even more personal when we learned last year that Todd Nisbet, General Council Member-at-Large, had recently been diagnosed with the disease. Of course, this news was devastating and deeply personal for Todd and his family but also for us, his Phi Delt family.
We are doing everything we can to support Todd and rally around our brother during this challenging time and we issued a new challenge for every member of Phi Delta Theta to do something to fight ALS through Live Like Lou or Iron Phi this year. As a fraternity, we will be measured by the impact we make on the world, and Phi Delta Theta is poised to help end ALS by hopefully one day finding a cure.
For my Iron Phi event, I will be kicking 338 (Lou Gehrig's Bond #) penalty kicks with the help of Edison JV Girls Soccer, a local high school team that I coach here in Alexandria, Virginia.
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. The money will also be included in my home chapter's totals at Widener Univeristy in their quest to become an Iron Phi Chapter this year. So, we need your help. Would you please consider making a donation? Any amount would be greatly appreciated. It will help support ALS families and fund important research toward finding a cure. 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.
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,
David
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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.”
