We Do It For Lou

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.

In order to complete this, I must also complete an athletic endeavor. So I have chosen to do something that I have never attempted before and that will push my body to a limit I have not achieved before by completing a triathlon and a marathon. 

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.

A little personal side note on this subject is that as some may know ALS is one of the many Muscular Dystrophy Diseases and may have the same cause and cure. This hits me very close to home, because one of the sweetest and nicest people I know, my grandma, has been living with Muscular Dystrophy for as long as I have been alive and longer. Her will and strength to fight this when her she has lost the feeling in her hands and feet and constantly gets severe cramps makes her one of the strongest people I know. She also has done so much over my life to help me become the man I am today, I now want to do my part to try and give back by helping out the scientist and doctors help make these inspiring peoples lives easier and better. Additonally I have many friends and faimly whose lives have been turned upside down because of this disease. For this reason I want to be the one to make a difference and do what I can to better these people lives in anyway I possibly can.

I have already completed an Olympic Triathlon in which I raised over $4500.00. Now I will be completing a marathon and continuing to raise money to hopefully get to the top fundraising spot of $18000. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $25 (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. 

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,
Kevin Joseph Carter

Here is some a few videos that will help motivate me to become an Iron Phi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccwvVxhzjEQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgzM5wVErb0&feature=youtube_gdata_player