HomeBJ Henderson
Wisconsin Alpha - University of Wisconsin
My Iron Phi Story
BJ's Iron Phi
I joined Phi Delta Theta in the Fall of 2014 and if I'm being honest, did not know what I was committing myself to. After making the decision to not join a fraternity my first year, some may have thought it was bit odd that I decided to start a brand new fraternity in my third year. However, after several conversations, one thing led to the next and I found myself as the President of the Wisconsin Alpha colony with the challenge to collectively bring a group of 60 collegiate men together behind one common goal. Now, the primary reason I joined was to gain strong leadership experience. However, five years since I joined Phi Delta Theta, leadership would not be at the top of my list. Instead, this fraternity has continued to provide me with lifelong friendships, amazing experiences, and a great sense of pride for what we are doing year after year.
Therefore, this year, it is my goal to becoming 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.
On November 10th (1 month from today), I will be running the Madison Half Marathon in Madison, Wisconsin. This will be the farthest I have ran in my life and definitely will push me to my limits. I have wanted to become an Iron Phi for some time, but I never fully committed...until now! Fingers crossed for no snow on race day.
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 will be setting my 1st fundraising goal at $1000. After finishing this race, my goal is to double the miles and double the donation! That's right, from 13.1 to 26.2 and from $1000 to $2000. But before I get ahead of myself, I need your helping getting to $1000!
Would you please consider making a donation big or small (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. If you prefer to send a check made out to Iron Phi to me, please email me and I will send you my address.
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!
BJ Henderson
wjhenderson93@gmail.com
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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.”
