The Alexander family at Mount Vernon on July 4, 2012; Neil was initiated into Phi Delta Theta at the 2012 Convention in Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LiveLikeLou Roots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neil and Suzanne Alexander established LiveLikeLou in 2011 when Neil, a University of Pittsburgh Phi Delt, was diagnosed with ALS. Originally established as a grassroots fund within The Pittsburgh Foundation, LiveLikeLou quickly became a leading entity in the fight against ALS in Western Pennsylvania, creating awareness of ALS, assisting families in the community, and fulfilling a $2.5 million pledge to build The LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, a $10 million partnership between LiveLikeLou and the University of Pittsburgh. The achievement became the largest ALS research effort of its kind in Western Pennsylvania history. Along with the success on the research front, LiveLikeLou also established a $1 million endowment for ongoing patient care in Western, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Brother Gehrig said, \u201cToday, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth,\u201d when he retired from baseball on July 4, 1939, Brother Alexander was inspired and said, \u201cI feel lucky too.\u201d He used all of his energy, rallied his friends and family, and developed a personal mission to \u201cLeave ALS Better Than He Found It.\u201d Neil died from ALS in March 2015, leaving his wife, Suzanne and two children, Abby and Patrick, to carry on his vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phi Delta Theta\u2019s desire to further enhance and focus its commitment to the fight against ALS led the two entities to begin conversations. Together, Phi Delta Theta\u2019s long-standing commitment to have a meaningful impact on the disease, coupled with LiveLikeLou\u2019s successful model of advancing the ALS cause forward, have the ability to further drive Phi Delta Theta\u2019s leadership in finding a cure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNeil always hoped LiveLikeLou would grow beyond the Pittsburgh Region. He would be so proud that Phi Delta Theta is stewarding this dream. Our family is thrilled that LiveLikeLou will be cared for, and have even more of an impact. It makes perfect sense that LiveLikeLou was started by a brother, in honor of a brother, and will be carried on by all the brothers of Phi Delta Theta,\u201d says Director of The LiveLikeLou Foundation Suzanne Alexander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n