HomeColby Withrow
Georgia Gamma - Mercer University
My Iron Phi Story
Colby Withrow's Iron Phi Page
Lou Gherig was an extremely successful baseball player and member of Phi Delta Theta whose career was cut short by ALS. The LiveLikeLou Foundation asks for donations that go directly towards ALS research. There have even been recent breakthroughs in ALS research as a direct result of charitable foundations such as LiveLikeLou and Phi Delta Theta. To support the LiveLikeLou Foundation, Phi Delta Theta has a special branch of members called "Iron Phi's" that raise at least $1000 towards the LiveLikeLou Foundation and complete an athletic event. Lou Gherig was the first ever Iron Phi. My personal mission is to become an Iron Phi before the month of March is over. Towards that end, I ask that anyone able donate $10 to my Iron Phi fund, or any amount that you are comfortable with. Once again, this money is going to a good cause that has made recent discoveries that work towards a cure for ALS. If you would like to donate, I urge you to go to IronPhi.org and make a donation to the Colby Withrow Iron Phi fund. However, if there is someone else in Phi Delta Theta that you would rather donate to, I strongly encourage you to donate. The donation is what makes the difference, not who you donate to. Even if you choose not to donate, I thank you for your time.
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 had a lasting impact on my life.
For my Iron Phi event, I will be rock climbing 1,848 ft and doing 444 sledgehammer hits in the span of 24 hours. I specifically chose an event I knew would be difficult so that I could give it my all.
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 $1000. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $10 (donations by US residents are 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 12409 Cliffrose Trail 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,
Colby Withrow
My Personal Web Log
Topics
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.”
