Leverage public interest to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare diseases
Mission
Inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport
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
Active
Legacy
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 September 28, 2020
Syracuse opened its newly renovated Carrier Dome in style, picking up the Orange’s first victory of the season by taking out fellow Uplifting Athletes Chapter Georgia Tech. All three phases of the game played a vital role for the Orange, as the offense was powered by 100-yard rusher Sean Tucker, Syracuse’s defense nabbed four interceptions […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Thursday September 24, 2020
Each week during the college football season we will feature a player who is an officer for an Uplifting Athletes Chapter for our Beyond the Trophy series. Name: Luke Paladino College: Marist College Height, weight, class, position: 5-11, 143 pounds, redshirt sophomore, kicker High School: Penfield Senior High School in Rochester, New York About Luke: […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Monday September 21, 2020
Powered by running backs Ricky Person Jr. and Zonovan Knight, NC State won its 2020 season opener in a wild back-and-forth affair with Wake Forest. Person and Knight combined for 196 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Person scored the winning touchdown on a 3-yard run late in the fourth quarter and finished with […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Monday September 14, 2020
Georgia Tech overcame a tough first half that included two interceptions and a pair of blocked field goals to rally from 10 points down to win its season opener on the road against fellow Uplifting Athletes Chapter Florida State. True freshman quarterback Jeff Sims accounted for 341 total yards in his first start and Jude […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday July 21, 2020
Kaci Adams isn’t a doctor, but sometimes she has to feel like one. The married 43-year-old mother of three has the rare disease Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS). Klippel-Feil Syndrome is an extremely complex disease with many potential symptoms and disease paths. Finding a medical specialist or expert to advise and help with her rare struggle has […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday July 14, 2020
Spend more than five minutes with Marni Cartelli and there is no possible way to miss her passion. She proudly wears it on her sleeve. What drives her passion is a will and commitment to battle a difficult and complex rare disease that makes a day without pain nearly impossible. Marni was diagnosed with Complex […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday July 14, 2020
The loss of hope and that feeling nobody is listening when you are screaming out for help came roaring back for Marni. It was a road she had been down before when she was originally diagnosed in 2016, and didn’t think it was a bridge she would have to cross again. “That anger and frustration […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday July 14, 2020
Spend more than five minutes with Marni Cartelli and there is no possible way to miss her passion. She proudly wears it on her sleeve. What drives her passion is a will and commitment to battle a difficult and complex rare disease that makes a day without pain nearly impossible. Marni was diagnosed with Complex […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday July 07, 2020
Justin Hopkin wears a lot of different hats. Doctor, father, husband, and rare disease advocate just to name a few. But, to Justin, no matter what hat he’s wearing, they all kind of look the same. That’s because Justin is committed to helping and serving others first. At the top of that list is his […] Continue Reading »
Posted on Tuesday June 30, 2020
As the Special Projects Director at the Amyloidosis Foundation Kathi Luis is invested in the rare disease patients, families and caregivers that her nonprofit serves. She is a dedicated and committed advocate for the Rare Disease Community. The Amyloidosis Foundation, like most single rare disease patient focused organizations, is powered by a small staff. Kathi […] Continue Reading »
Corporate Champions
