HomeGarrett Potter
Colorado Alpha - University of Colorado
My Iron Phi Story
Garrett Potter's Iron Phi
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 empower members of Phi Delta Theta in the fight against ALS (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. Net proceeds will support ALS research, education, screening and treatment.
Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. It is a debilitating progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. Those impacted by ALS begin losing many aspects of motor function, moving from distal motor functionality in the extremities to almost complete paralysis, followed thereafter by speech and eventually even breathing. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS often reapidly leads to death within 3 to 5 years. Follow this link for more information about ALS: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Amyotrophic-Lateral-Sclerosis-ALS-Fact-Sheet
Though I never had the privilege of meeting her, my great grandmother June was diagnosed with and passed from ALS. Fortunately, our chapter at Boulder was able to serve a family impacted by ALS prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteering with our family has had a prolific impact on my college experience and has helped shaped my future goals. In addition to my fraternity and personal connection, I am looking to make my own impact on neurodegenerative diseases like ALS through my academics and aspiring career. I will be graduating in Spring of 2022 with degrees in Neuroscience and Molecular Biology and intend to pursue a Neuroscience Ph.D. to focus on ALS and Alzheimer's research.
For my athletic event, I will be completing the Murph Hero Workout of the Day (WOD) in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, "Murph". Murph called the workout "Body Armor", as he would complete the workout in a plate carrier; it has since taken on the name "Murph" in his honor. Lt. Michael P. Murphy was one of the Navy Seals who lost his life during Operation Red Wings. Murph was posthumously awarded the Congresional Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to call in support for his team. His heroic actions are also memorialized in the book and movie "Lone Survivor".
I've set my personal goal at $1000. Please consider making a donation of $10 or more. Donations are also tax-deducitble! 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 346 Moline Street, Aurora, CO, 80010 if you'd rather donate that way.
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,
Garrett Potter
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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.”
