HomeArthur Arand
Ohio Theta - University of Cincinnati
My Iron Phi Story
A.J. Arand's Iron Phi Page
Hello and thank you for visiting my Iron Phi participation page! This year, I am attempting to become an Iron Phi in the inaugural year of the program. The Iron Phi program was developed by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity to give undergraduate students like myself a chance to have a real impact in the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, while at the same time supporting my fraternity. The challenge of the Iron Phi porgram is to raise money towards one's participation in a race, and then successfully complete that race. I have chosen $1,000 and the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon: 4x Relay as my goals. I am proud to take on this challenge and do my small part to fight ALS in honor of Mr. Gehrig - a fellow member of Phi Delta Theta - and all those who have been effected by ALS.
According to The ALS Association's web site, 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 $1000? 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 to Iron Phi to me at my school address as well, if you'd rather donate that way:
2634 Stratford Ave, Box 126
Cincinnati, OH 45220
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,
A.J. Arand
Ohio Theta #1997
U.C. class of 2012
My Personal Web Log
Topics
Gearing Up
Well, with the Flying Pig approaching this weekend, and my training basically complete, I have little else to do except get mentally prepared and find a few more donors. I ran 4 miles of Clifton Avenue today in 34 minutes, and I am very excited to see how well we do this weekend.
Wish me luck!
by Arthur Arand on Tue, Apr 27, 2010 @ 8:58 PM
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Hit the streets
I ran outside today for the first time... oye.
Five miles on the track or treadmill might be a walk in the park, but 3.5 miles up and down Clifton is just downright grueling. I think once I get my pacing down better; however, I'll be able to go alot further. I ran today in less than 25 minutes (on accident), so hopefully I'll be a little more controlled next time.
by Arthur Arand on Thu, Mar 04, 2010 @ 2:18 PM
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Still at it
I ran 5 miles today on the track. I think the only thing more brutal than my legs afterwards was the same 4 turns 42.5 times. I hope to get outside on the mean streets of clifton sometime soon.
Thanks for all your support in helping me reach my goal. We're 68% of the way there with exactly two months to go!
by Arthur Arand on Tue, Mar 02, 2010 @ 8:42 PM
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So it begins...
Today my fellow fraternity brothers and I will begin training for our four man relay this May in the Flying Pig Marathon... I am trying to continue my regular workouts and add in 3-5 miles of running for these Iron Phi sessions on top of that; I hope I can walk tomorrow.
by Arthur Arand on Mon, Feb 22, 2010 @ 11:52 AM
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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.”
