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 Thursday June 13, 2019
The Florida State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Saturday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. inside the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility. FSU’s Lift For Life is open to the public. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Florida State […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday June 12, 2019
The Penn State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its 17th annual Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Friday, July 12 inside Holuba Hall starting at 5:00 p.m. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Penn State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Penn State is a part of Uplifting […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Thursday May 16, 2019
The Northwestern Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its annual Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Friday, May 24 at 4:00 p.m. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Northwestern Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Northwestern is a part of Uplifting Athletes’ nationwide network of chapters led by college […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday May 14, 2019
This was a busy spring with seven chapters holding Lift For Life events in support of Uplifting Athletes and its mission to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport. Penn, Stony Brook, Saint Francis, Davidson, Lehigh, Marist and Princeton, all FCS college football programs, recently held their annual Lift For […] Continue Reading »
Princeton Chapter announces annual Lift For Life to inspire the Rare Disease Community set for May 7
Posted on Friday May 03, 2019The Princeton Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its annual Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Tuesday, May 7th. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Princeton Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Princeton is a part of Uplifting Athletes’ nationwide network of chapters led by college football student-athletes. Each […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Monday April 29, 2019
Earlier this year, Uplifting Athletes partnered with 56 NFL prospects to give them their first opportunity to share their new platform as professional athletes to inspire others with hope and to support the Rare Disease Community. When the stakes were the highest in their football lives, these NFL prospects made a choice to pledge their […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday April 24, 2019
Uplifting Athletes is pleased to have Marist College join the nationwide network of chapters led by college football student-athletes. Each chapter embraces the mission of Uplifting Athletes by using college football as a platform to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport. Today, the challenges faced by the Rare Disease […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday April 24, 2019
Former University of Illinois star offensive lineman Nick Allegretti was awarded the prestigious Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor recently as part of the annual Fighting Illini Oskee Awards celebration. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Monday April 22, 2019
There are many ways the Uplifting Athletes nationwide network of chapter’s use their platform to inspire the Rare Disease Community. Shining a spotlight on the more than 30 million Americans affected by rare diseases is part of each chapter’s mission. Five years ago, the Penn State Chapter started raising awareness by wearing Uplifting Athletes stickers […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Wednesday April 17, 2019
Uplifting Athletes is pleased to have Lehigh University join the nationwide network of chapters led by college football student-athletes holding Lift For Life events in 2019. The Mountain Hawks will hold their inaugural Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Tuesday, April 30 at 4:30 p.m. outside the University Center. The event […] Continue Reading »
Key Leadership
Chapter Leaders
NC State - Thomas Ruocchio
Clemson - Will Spiers
Colgate - Triston Fairchild
Princeton - Luke Aschenbrand
Stony Brook - Zach Lucas
Davidson - George Hatalowich
Illinois - Bobby Walker
Maryland - Sean Christie
Northwestern - Peter Snodgrass
Notre Dame - Chris Schilling
Penn - Michael Rolfe
Penn State - Chris Stoll
Syracuse - Sam Heckel
Penn State - Sean Clifford
Western Michigan - Justin Tranquill
Clemson - Jack Maddox
Stony Brook - Joe Detorie
Saint Francis - Nick Rinella
NC State - Dylan Autenrieth
Davidson - Kevin Stipe
Florida State - DeCalon Brooks
Northwestern - Joe Spivak
Syracuse - Nolan Cooney
Penn - Hunter Hayes
Staff
Robert M. Long Executive Director
Brett Brackett General Manager
Andrew P. Shay Communications
John M. Trzeciak Business Manager
Karen Kirkpatrick Director of Finance
Trey Klock - Intern Chapter Management
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
Thu, 06/13/2019 - 13:50
@
UpliftingAth
We are pumped to have @FSUFootball on our team helping Tackle #RareDiseases at the Florida State Chapter Lift For Life coming up on June 22. The #Noles event is open to the public. LEARN MORE: https://t.co/hL3g50j9d7 #WeTackleRare 
Wed, 06/12/2019 - 16:48
@
UpliftingAth
Get ready @PennStateFball fans ... the 17th annual Lift For Life to Tackle #RareDiseases is 1⃣ month away. See you July 12 at 5 p.m. inside Holuba Hall to watch the 2019 Nittany Lions inspire the #RareDisease Community with hope! Learn More: https://t.co/IDf8XAMhs0 #WeTackleRare 
Thu, 05/30/2019 - 11:02
@
UpliftingAth
Incredible job raising money and awareness for those affected by #rarediseases! We are proud of how you use your platform as student-athletes to make a difference. Keep up the great work! #WeTackleRare ![]()
Wed, 05/29/2019 - 14:34
@
UpliftingAth
@rma136 @PennStateFball No younger than 4 years old @rma136 Any questions or concerns feel free to email us directly at info@upliftingathletes.org. Hope to see you at #LiftForLife on July 12th!![]()
Sat, 05/25/2019 - 13:08
@
UpliftingAth
We pause to remember those who didn't return home as a reminder that Freedom is not always Free. #MemorialDayWeekend #MemorialDay2019 #WeTackleRare 
Sat, 05/25/2019 - 00:30
@
UpliftingAth
Incredibly happy for @NU_Uplifting. Today their first open to the public #LiftForLife was a success! @NUFBFamily brought so much energy it scared away the rain! Thank you for using your platform to help those affected by #rarediseases. #WeTackleRare 
Fri, 05/24/2019 - 16:26
@
UpliftingAth
Congratulations to our Executive Director @RobLong47 on reaching another milestone in his inspirational #RareDisease journey by marrying his soul mate this weekend. #WeTackleRare
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Fri, 05/24/2019 - 16:08
@
UpliftingAth
It Is Time @NUFBFamily fans. The @NU_Uplifting Lift For Life is 4 p.m. TODAY at Martin Field. All the #GoCats are pumped to bang out bench press reps to Tackle #RareDiseases. 💪 Join the #BigCats Team: https://t.co/BahfskfA1l … #WeTackleRare 
Thu, 05/23/2019 - 18:26
@
UpliftingAth
Here we go @NUFBFamily fans! The @NU_Uplifting Football Lift For Life to help Tackle #RareDiseases is on deck tomorrow. Have you joined their team by making a pledge or donation? https://t.co/BahfskxbpV #WeTackleRare 
Corporate Champions
