May 8, 2012– Rockville, MD. The IronPhi 5K walk/run to benefit the ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter raised $3,312 to help support the Chapter’s mission and provide patient and family services to people living with ALS (PALS). The 5k was held on the Homewood Campus at Johns Hopkins University on Sunday, April 29, 2012. The 5K was hosted by the Johns Hopkins Chapter of Phi Delta Theta and the Health Occupations Students of America. 

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal disease that leads to an inability of PALS to speak, move, and eventually breathe on their own. The incidence of ALS is five times higher than Huntington’s disease, and about equal to that of multiple sclerosis. There are 30,000 people living with ALS at any one time in the United States. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed and every 90 minutes someone passes away from ALS.

The ALS Association is the National Philanthropy of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity for chapters on campuses across the United States. Lou Gehrig, for whom the disease is named, was a member of Phi Delta Theta at Columbia University in 1925. The event attracted an estimated 230 donors and runners and was held on a gorgeous Sunday morning. Prizes were awarded to the top 3 male and female runners. Water was donated by the Johns Hopkins Housing and Dining Department and the event was sponsored by Johns Hopkins Alpha Delta Phi, Johns Hopkins Inter-Fraternity Council, Maxie’s Pizza Bar and Grille, Quiznos Subs, Johns Hopkins Office of Greek Life, and Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels, who also participated in the 5K.

Donations from the IronPhi 5K are funneled immediately into ALS- specific research and programs that are used every day by PALS. The ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter provides services and support to over 510 patients within the region. These services include assistive technology devices, social worker visits, medical equipment loan closet, transportation grants, respite care grants and many other services. All of the Chapter’s services are provided free of charge to the families through generous donations and events such as this event.

The mission of the ALS Association is to improve the quality of life for PALS in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia while raising public awareness and support for finding a cure. The DC/MD/VA Chapter is based in Rockville, MD with an office in Richmond, VA. For more information about the ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter, please visit www.ALSinfo.org.

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