Leverage public interest to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare diseases
Our Mission
Our Programs
Develops social influencers into leaders that make a positive impact on the rare disease community
Shares the platform of sport with the rare disease cause and raises it as a national priority
Creates special moments that enrich the lives of rare disease patients and their loved ones
Our Chapters
Our Motivation
1 in 10 Americans will be diagnosed with a Rare Disease
A Rare Disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans at any given time.
7,000
Approximate number of different rare diseases that collectively affect more than 30 million Americans.
Rare diseases are often chronic, progressive, degenerative and life-threatening.
75%
of rare diseases affect children
30%
of children with a rare disease will not live to see their 5th birthday.
Fundraising Initiatives
Lift For Life
Lift For Life is the original fundraising event that
launched Uplifitng Athletes! The event was
inspired by Don Shirley's battle with a rare
cancer. Now, college football teams across the
country participate in the right-of-passage to
benefit the rare disease community!
Touchdown Pledge Drive
Touchdown Pledge Drive brings awareness and helps raise funds while capitalizing on what our students-athletes do best during our most visible time of the year, college football season.
UA Ambassadors
The UA Ambassador program empowers individual athletes to support the Rare Disease Community by raising money and awareness with their performance. Opportunities include Reps for Rare Diseases at the NFL Combine and/or Pro Day workouts, the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats campaign, and anything else you can imagine!
Team UA
We are inviting athletes from across the country to support our mission by holding a pledge-based event to raise money for Uplifting Athletes. This program is open to all sports and all levels! Simply click create your campaign below to get started and a member of our staff will reach out to you to help make it a success.
Uplifting Events & Awareness Campaigns
Uplifting News
Posted on Monday April 15, 2019
The Davidson Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its second annual Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Thursday, April 25th. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Davidson Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Davidson is a part of Uplifting Athletes’ nationwide network of chapters led by college football student-athletes. […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday April 02, 2019
During a pivotal time in their football lives, more than 50 NFL prospects used their first opportunities as professional athletes to give back. The Uplifting Athletes 2019 Reps For Rare Diseases showcased these athletes in a month-long campaign that kicked off in late February with the NFL Combine and ran through March with individual NFL […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday March 26, 2019
The Saint Francis Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its annual Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Sunday, April 7th. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Saint Francis Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Saint Francis is a part of Uplifting Athletes’ nationwide network of chapters led by college […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday March 13, 2019
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia experienced a Rare Disease Community takeover Saturday night when Uplifting Athletes hosted its 2nd Young Investigator Draft presented by CSL Behring. And the spotlight at The Linc – home to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles – was on the six rare disease research grant recipients drafted by our priority partners to […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday March 06, 2019
For the fifth consecutive year, Uplifting Athletes is empowering NFL prospects with the opportunity to use their NFL Pro Day as a platform to give back by raising funds and awareness in support of the Rare Disease Community. The Reps For Rare Diseases Campaign is one of the first opportunities for these athletes to create […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday March 05, 2019
The Stony Brook Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its annual Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Friday, March 15th Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Stony Brook Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Stony Brook is a part of Uplifting Athletes’ nationwide network of chapters led by college […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Thursday February 28, 2019
The Young Investigator Draft is the result of Uplifting Athletes’ ongoing commitment to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare disease treatments and potential cures while facilitating the next generation of rare disease researchers. These Young Investigators will pursue rare disease research in one of five different areas: rare cancers, rare autoimmune and immunological […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday February 27, 2019
The Young Investigator Draft is the result of Uplifting Athletes’ ongoing commitment to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare disease treatments and potential cures while facilitating the next generation of rare disease researchers. These Young Investigators will pursue rare disease research in one of five different areas: rare cancers, rare autoimmune and immunological […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday February 26, 2019
The Young Investigator Draft is the result of Uplifting Athletes’ ongoing commitment to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare disease treatments and potential cures while facilitating the next generation of rare disease researchers. These Young Investigators will pursue rare disease research in one of five different areas: rare cancers, rare autoimmune and immunological […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday February 26, 2019
The Young Investigator Draft is the result of Uplifting Athletes’ ongoing commitment to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare disease treatments and potential cures while facilitating the next generation of rare disease researchers. These Young Investigators will pursue rare disease research in one of five different areas: rare cancers, rare autoimmune and immunological […] Continue Reading »
Key Leadership
Chapter Leaders
NC State - Thomas Ruocchio
Penn State - Ryan Bates
Penn State - Steven Gonzalez
Clemson - Kyle Cote
Colgate - Owen Buscaglia
Davidson - George Hatalowich
Florida State - Alec Eberle
Illinois - Nick Allegretti
Maryland - Avery Edwards
Northwestern - Tommy Doles
Notre Dame - Jimmy Thompson
Penn - Cooper Gardner
Princeton - Kurt Holuba
Saint Francis - Mike Ames
Stony Brook - Marc Nolan
Syracuse - Sam Heckel
Western Michigan - Jamauri Bogan
Staff
Robert M. Long Executive Director
Brett Brackett-General Manager
Andrew P. Shay Communications
John M. Trzeciak Business Manager
Karen Kirkpatrick Director of Finance
Board
Scott Shirley
Keith Deaven
David Wozniak
Kerwin Stetler
Tiffini Grimes
UA Lettermen
Obi Egekeze
Chris Borland
Jake Smith
Jeff Wasilewski
Mark Herzlich
Brett Brackett
#WeTackleRare
Wed, 04/17/2019 - 19:16
@
UpliftingAth
Get ready for the inaugural @LehighFootball Chapter Lift For Life to support the #RareDisease Community on April 30. We are proud to have the Mountain Hawks' on the 2019 Lift For Life schedule to help Tackle Rare Diseases! 🙌 Learn More: https://t.co/PWIkGEbaZn #WeTackleRare 
Mon, 04/15/2019 - 14:17
@
UpliftingAth
The @Davidson_UA Chapter has set the date for its second annual Lift For Life to support the #RareDisease Community is set for April 25th. We are proud to have the @DavidsonFB program on our team to help Tackle Rare Diseases! 💪 Learn More: https://t.co/9JrtfaH6wm #WeTackleRare 
Wed, 04/10/2019 - 11:57
@
UpliftingAth
Our team of @RobLong47 and @BrettBrackett are at the World Orphan Drug Congress the next 3 days helping shine a spotlight on our commitment to #RareDiseases. @RobLong47 is speaking during a session Thursday afternoon. Good Luck! #WeTackleRare 
Sat, 04/06/2019 - 14:57
@
UpliftingAth
Tomorrow the @SFU_UpliftAth Chapter will hold its #LiftForLife to support the #RareDisease Community at DeGol Field at 12:30. Event is open to the public so come out and meet the 2019 @RedFlashFB squad. Join the Red Flash team and pledge: https://t.co/7uwSFihI0M #WeTackleRare 
Fri, 04/05/2019 - 00:24
@
UpliftingAth
Jenn thank you for spreading the word of @NickyGplaya advocating for the #raredisease community through sports! #WeTackleRare ![]()
Thu, 04/04/2019 - 23:51
@
UpliftingAth
Thank you @NickyGplaya for using your platform to inspire those affected by #rarediseases. Shout out to @WWLP22News for giving him the spotlight to share his great story #WeTackleRare ![]()
Thu, 04/04/2019 - 21:57
@
UpliftingAth
#WeTackleRare ![]()
Tue, 04/02/2019 - 19:15
@
UpliftingAth
1 out of every 10 Americans is living with a #RareDisease. To help Tackle #RareDiseases @SFU_UpliftAth will be holding its annual Lift For Life April 7 at DeGol Field starting at 12:30 p.m. Join the @RedFlashFB team by making a pledge today! https://t.co/7uwSFihI0M #WeTackleRare 
Tue, 04/02/2019 - 15:59
@
UpliftingAth
We are proud of all 56 members of our 2019 Reps For Rare Diseases team for the impact and difference you are making for the #RareDisease Community. Thank you for helping us Tackle Rare Diseases! https://t.co/T8vgW6ResI #WeTackleRare 
Corporate Champions
