HomeNicholas Hellbusch
Nebraska Alpha - University of Nebraska, Lincoln
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to My Personal Iron Phi Page
Last year, I became an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my Fraternity. Although I have become an Iron Phi, I am still trying to make an impact by raising money for this great cause. 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 support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening and treatment as well as help strengthen an organization (Phi Delta Theta) that has had a lasting impact on my life.
I competed in the Cornhusker State Games Sprint Triathlon in Lincoln, NE on July 24th, 2011. Even though I was a high school swimmer and also ran track and cross-country in middle school, I had never competed in a Triathlon. It was quite a challenge to prepare for, but the race went well. This sprint triathlon included a .75 kilometer open-water swim, a 20 kilometer bike and a 5 kilometer run. I prepared for the event throughout the spring and summer to be ready for it, and ended up with a time of 1:34.33.
This April 15th, I am competing in a team race with 9 other teammates and over 5 other teams between the Nebraska-Alpha and Nebraska-Gamma Phi Delta Theta chapters in order to continue to help this cause. The race is an approximately 60 mile race that is set to leave from Lincoln's Haymarket Park and arrive at Omaha's TD Ameritrade Park. This means that each participant will run approximately 6 miles each. As my team's result will be based on not only the run time but also how much money is raised, I would like to help my team as much as possible by continuing to raise money.
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. Every 90 minutes, another person is diagnosed with ALS. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi.
While there is no known cure, great strides have been made in treating and understanding the disease. By joining me in my quest to become an Iron Phi, you can provide hope for the thousands of people who suffer from ALS and contribute to the ultimate goal of anyone who has seen the terrible impact of this disease - a cure.
I've set my personal goal at $1500, so I need your help. You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer. You can also make a check payable to Iron Phi to:
Nick Hellbusch
7802 Pine Circle
Omaha, NE 68124
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,
Nick Hellbusch
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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.”
