HomeDwight Stevenson
New York Epsilon - Syracuse University
My Iron Phi Story
800 miles in 8 Days: It might be crazy, but it's Cycling with a Purpose!
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 recently become an important part of my life, helping me to become the greatest version of myself.
I recently rekindled my childhood love of cycling and have taken to 20 mile joyrides at the end of a long day. As with many things in my life, I tend to dive head first, and this cycling challenge of 800 miles in 8 days is no different. I heard about a 100 mile charity ride in Syracuse coming up on Sunday August 19th and that's where this challenge started. I then heard about the CTS Bucket List Challenge, a challenge to cycle 683 miles between August 20 and 26. Not being one to back down from a challenge, and as it's the last week before school starts back up for the fall, I have decided to tackle not only my first century ride, but to follow it up with seven more for a total of at least 800 miles over the course of 8 days.
This is unlike anything I have ever tried, and I hope my body will be able to withstand the week of abuse in an effort to raise money for these two amazing causes.
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. 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 $5,000.00, and I would greatly appreciate your help. $5,000 broken down over 800 miles is $6.25/mile. Could you sponsor me for 10 or 20 miles ($62.50 or $125)? If that's not possible, could you sponsor just 5 miles for only $31.25? Any of your help is greatly appreciated! 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 118 Remington Ave. Apt. J Syracuse, New York 13210
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,
Dwight Stevenson
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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.”
