HomeRyan Yankovich
Kansas Alpha - University of Kansas
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to My Personal Iron Phi Page
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.
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.
When I heard that my Fraternity (Phi Delta Theta) created a program called Iron Phi to fight Lou Gehrig's disease, I knew I had to participate. 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. I don't have a lot of money, and I can't find a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease, but I found out that there was something that I could do to help. I'll be participating in the Veterans Day 5k to both raise money for Lou Gehrig's disease and strengthen my Fraternity (Phi Delta Theta), an organization that has done so much for me personally.
It's going to be tough to fit fundraising and training into my busy schedule, but I know I can do it. I'm going to raise $1000 for the cause. Here's where you come in. You can support me by making a donation (donations by US residents are tax-deductible). You can visit the link to my personal fundraising webpage below and make a donation. You can also search for my page by visiting www.ironphi.org, clicking on the "Donate" tab and searching for my name. If you don't want to give online, you can make out a check to Iron Phi and send it to me at 1621 Edgehill Rd. Lawrence, KS 66044.
Thank you for your support. I'd appreciate it if you could make your donation by October 20th so I'll have plenty of time to reach my goal. I'll keep you updated on my progress as I fundraise and train for my event.
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,
Ryan Yankovich
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.”
