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Mission:
Harness the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of people impacted by rare diseases.


Vision:
No person impacted by a rare disease feels alone and everyone is inspired with hope for the future.

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Fordham

Chapter Established in 2011
Life Time Total $22,060.03

Uplifting Athletes Mission

Harness the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of people impacted by rare diseases.

Fordham

Chapter Leadership

Current Chapter Leaders

Ryan Joyce
President
Ryan Joyce
President

Ryan Joyce became a chapter leader at Fordham in 2021. He serves as the President of the Fordham Chapter and was part of the leadership team that helped oversee the Rams Lift For Life last summer. Ryan attended the Leadership Development Conference in 2021 and 2022 and was also part of the Young Investigator Draft celebration in February. Ryan is making sure the Rams football program is using their platform as college football student athletes to serve and inspire hope in the Rare Disease Community.

The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman started three games at right guard as a freshman in 2019 before an injury forced him to the sidelines for the rest of the season. Ryan was a starter during the pandemic season of 2020 in limited action. And last year he was the Rams’ starting right guard all 11 games.

Lucas Portes
Vice President
Lucas Portes
Vice President

Lucas Portes became a chapter leader at Fordham in 2021. He serves as the Vice President of the Fordham Chapter and was part of the leadership team that helped oversee the Rams Lift For Life last summer. Lucas attended the Leadership Development Conference in 2021 and 2022 and was also part of the Young Investigator Draft celebration in February. Lucas is making sure the Rams football program is using their platform as college football student athletes to serve and inspire hope in the Rare Disease Community.

The Maryland native came in as a freshman in 2019 and earned a starting spot at left guard for all 12 games. Lucas, who stands 6-foot-5, is now an anchor up front for the Rams after starting all 11 games in 2021 at guard.

Uplifting Athletes Programs

Rare Disease Research

Leverage public interest to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare diseases

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Uplifting Leaders

Develops social influencers into leaders that make a positive impact on the rare disease community

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Uplifting Leaders
Rare Disease Awareness

Shares the platform of sport with the rare disease cause and raises it as a national priority

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Uplifting Experiences

Creates special moments that enrich the lives of rare disease patients and their loved ones

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Uplifting Experiences

Fundraising Initiatives

Fordham Touchdown Pledge Drive 2019
$210.00 Amount Raised
Campaigns
View Results
Fordham Lift For Life 2018
$2,499.00 Amount Raised
3 Campaigns
View Results
Fordham Football Lift For Life 2023
$1,495.00 Amount Raised
2 Campaigns
View Results

News & Past Events

#WeTackleRare

Fri, 06/02/2023 - 09:25
@ UpliftingAth
RT @Twins: With that home run in the 5th, Michael A. Taylor makes another donation to @UpliftingAth to help support rare diseases. Learn…
Thu, 06/01/2023 - 15:57
@ UpliftingAth
The 10,000 Mile Challenge is back! Uplifting Athletes Development Manager Mitch Hymowitz has pledged to roll around…
Tue, 05/30/2023 - 11:00
@ UpliftingAth
𝗥𝗙𝗔 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝟴/𝟭 Young Investigator Grants fund collaborative, foundational research which positively impacts potentia…
Fri, 05/26/2023 - 14:22
@ UpliftingAth
Every dollar donated to our Home Run Challenge with @Taylor_Michael3 will help support our mission to invest in the…
Thu, 05/25/2023 - 10:05
@ UpliftingAth
𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 One team. One cause. One community. @NUFBFamily is creating a brighter future for those impacted by…
Wed, 05/24/2023 - 15:39
@ UpliftingAth
𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚 20 years of @PennStateFball Lift for Life will be celebrated on June 22 at 4pm ET. The public is invi…
Wed, 05/24/2023 - 10:34
@ UpliftingAth
@0901Heather @Twins Thank you for your support @0901Heather! #WeTackleRare together
Tue, 05/23/2023 - 21:48
@ UpliftingAth
RT @Twins: Another Michael A. Taylor home run means he'll make another donation to @UpliftingAth to help support rare diseases. Learn mor…
Mon, 05/15/2023 - 16:23
@ UpliftingAth
Uplifting Athletes' @RobLong47 & @BrettBrackett are teeing off today at @JerichoNational on behalf of the Young Inv…
Mon, 05/15/2023 - 10:37
@ UpliftingAth
@coltfinn3 Thank you for your support @coltfinn3! #WeTackleRare together
Sun, 05/14/2023 - 17:30
@ UpliftingAth
⚾️ IN THE 8TH INNING ⚾️ Another home run for Uplifting Ambassador Michael A. Taylor means another $2,500 for the…
Fri, 05/12/2023 - 14:20
@ UpliftingAth
@OnceUponAGene @Mariners @Twins We're very excited to have Ford join us! Sports should always be about celebrating…
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 22:00
@ UpliftingAth
Closing out the show! Uplifting Athletes brings home $40,000 to support our organization’s mission thanks to the Th…
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 21:51
@ UpliftingAth
Congratulations to Integrity Check (@InterSystems) and the @alsassociation for winning the #biotechbattle!
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 21:11
@ UpliftingAth
Uplifting Athletes Executive Director @RobLong47 takes the stage at the 2023 Battle of the Biotech Bands! Thank you…
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 20:04
@ UpliftingAth
The Bad Elements (@biogen) are following up strong at the #biotechbattle! #RareDisease x #WeTackleRare
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 19:30
@ UpliftingAth
Alright! Theratones close out their set as the crowd screams! #WeTackleRare x #biotechbattle
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 19:07
@ UpliftingAth
Theratones hit the stage — you rock @SanofiUS! #biotechbattle x #WeTackleRare

Uplifting Athletes Chapters

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Clemson
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