HomeDouglas Qian
Pennsylvania Rho - Carnegie Mellon
My Iron Phi Story
Run for Francis
Dear friends and family,
First of all, thank you visiting my Iron Phi donation page. The Iron Phi program is a way for active members of Phi Delta Theta to raise money for ALS research through performing an athletic feat. My Phi Delta Theta chapter, Pennsylvania Rho, has had 3 Iron Phis so far, and I plan on joining this group in May when I take on my first full marathon in Pittsburgh.
ALS a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, eventually leading to death.
I was first touched by ALS in high school when I visited my second uncle Francis Tsai. Francis was a talented artist and even during his battle with ALS he continued to create art through eye gaze software programs. To me, a disease like ALS seemed especially devastating for an artist who relies so heavily on fine motor control, and seeing Francis overcome ALS in all the little ways he could inspired me to think differently about how I should be approaching my own obstacles. It's been a few years since I've seen Francis, but seeing the Iron Man poster he gave me from his time working with Marvel every day reminds me of his fight.
This is why I want to become an Iron Phi: to do something bold about ALS.
All funds raised through this portal will directly support ALS research, education, screening and treatment through the LiveLikeLou Foundation, and I hope you can make a donation on this page to support this cause. I've set my personal goal at $1000 and 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 send a check made out to Iron Phi to me at 5032 Forbes Ave SMC 7091 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 if you'd rather donate that way.
I hope that you'll share this incredible journey with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Doug
#RunForFrancis #LiveLikeLou #ProudToBe
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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.”
