HomeNathan Carroll
Iowa Gamma - Iowa State University
My Iron Phi Story
Bicycling Across Europe for ALS
After already having become an Ironman triathlete, this year I'm taking the next step, which will result in personal growth and discovery, while also aligning with my professional goals of helping people throuh my new career in medicine. 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.
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. This cause hits especially close to home for me, because my grandfather, Thomas Carroll M.D., a loving family man, devoted physician and icon of volunteerism in his community, succumbed to a neurodegenerative disease similar to ALS (but not actually ALS) in the spring of 2002. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi. To do something bold about Lou Gehrig's disease.
I'm currently taking an unsupported and self-financed bicycle tour covering approximately 1500 miles along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. This difficult journey will be a celebration of human-powered feats in support of a disease which robs its unlucky recipients of their bodies before their minds. You can follow my progress including a semi-live map, on my website (www.natecarroll.com).
I've set my personal goal at $1000, but I would be ecstatic to raise one dollar for every mile that I bicycle. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $5, $10, or even $50? You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer (the money will go directly to ALS, and none of it will go towards costs of my trip). You can also send a check to Iron Phi to me at my parent's house (email me for the address).
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!
Respectfully,
Nate Carroll
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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.”
