HomeGheorghe Ciobanu
Indiana Theta - Purdue University
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to My Personal Iron Phi Page
Hello. My name is Gheorghe Ciobanu and I am a senior at Purdue University pursuing a degree in Professional Flight, Aeronautical Engineering Technology and Aviation Management. Despite being involved in numerous other organizations at Purdue University, the one that I am the most passionate about and most involved with is the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. One of the main principles that Phi Delta Theta is founded upon is fully embracing your life with help from others. And that is what I am contacting you; because I need your help.
On Oct 24, 2019, I became Iron Phi #934 by raising over $1,200 and running the Detroit Free Press Marathon. A marathon that runs through both the US and Canada, both countries which Phi Delt has chapters in. Today, I would like to continue my fundraising efforts and carry on Phi Delt's mission to "Leave ALS better than we found it!"
I will be competing in Lou’s Olympics, an Iron Phi Competition that allows Phi Delta Theta members to “Go for Gold”. I plan on continue to raise money for ALS and set a new goal of $5,000 and will be competing for the Most Miles Ran in a Day Event. I will be running the Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon and more; with a goal to run 30+ miles in a 24 hour period.
Being an Iron Phi is a distinction given to a small percentage of members within Phi Delta Theta. The mission of Iron Phi is to strengthen the 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 the Phi Delta Theta organization 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. This is why we do this, to do something bold about Lou Gehrig’s disease.
I’ve set my personal goal at $5,000. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation (donations are tax-deductible)? You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the “Make a Donation” link below the thermometer. You can also send a check made out to Iron Phi to me at 503 W State St, West Lafayette, IN 47906 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,
Gheorghe Ciobanu
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.”
