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Mission:
Inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport


Vision:
Empower people to take action against rare diseases and be a catalyst for the medical community to find cures

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Illinois

Chapter Established in 2011
Life Time Total $144,821.29

Uplifting Athletes Mission

is to inspire the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. Our vision is to empower people to take action against rare diseases and be a catalyst for the medical community to find cures.

Illinois

Chapter Leadership

Current Chapter Leaders

Alex Palczewski
President
Alex Palczewski
President

Alex Palczewski played along the offensive line early in his career with former Illinois Chapter leader Nick Allegretti . He volunteered to step into a leadership role during his senior year. Alex attended the Leadership Development Conference in 2020 and 2021, and as the chapter President will play a key and instrumental role in helping the Illinois Chapter continue its mission to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope.

The native of Illinois has started for the Fighting Illini since his true freshman year in 2017. Over the last four seasons, Alex had started 40 straight games including 29 in a row at right tackle before an injury ended his 2020 season. His 40 career starts is only eight shy of tying the school record. He was a third-team All Big Ten selection following the 2019 season and played in the first bowl game of his career.

Official Illinois Bio

Michael Marchese
Vice President
Michael Marchese
Vice President

Michael Marchese is the third member of his family to serve in a leadership role for an Uplifting Athletes chapter. His oldest brother Joe served as the Maryland Chapter President and older brother Jimmy served as an Illinois Chapter leader. Michael attended the Leadership Development Conference in 2020 and as a chapter leader will play a key and instrumental role in helping the Illinois Chapter continue its mission to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope.

The native of Illinois started his career as a walk on for the Illini and has developed into a contributor on defense and special teams. He was awarded a scholarship during the offseason prior to the 2021 campaign. Over the last three seasons he has appeared in 27 games, making three starts at safety in 2018 and two starts as a linebacker in 2020. He’s registered nearly 50 tackles, a couple fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions. Michael has a twin brother, Henry, who plays for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Official Illinois Bio

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

Illinois Football Lift For Life 2022
$0.00 Amount Raised
10 Campaigns
Pledge Now
Illinois Touchdown Pledge Drive 2019
$575.00 Amount Raised
Campaigns
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News & Past Events

#WeTackleRare

Thu, 06/30/2022 - 14:16
@ UpliftingAth
Thu, 06/30/2022 - 14:16
@ UpliftingAth
Just as the world within the Rare Disease Community continues to evolve, so does Uplifting Athletes. With exciting…
Wed, 06/29/2022 - 22:19
@ UpliftingAth
RT @PennStateFball: Lift for Life 2022 is this Thursday on the practice fields! 😁👍 Support the cause in person 6/30 at 5pm or by donating…
Wed, 06/29/2022 - 19:28
@ UpliftingAth
The @PennStateFball Lift For Life is set to take place tomorrow! Chapter Leader, Chris Stoll (@ChrisStoll18) shar…
Tue, 06/28/2022 - 14:08
@ UpliftingAth
The @CSUFB Lift For Life is back for its 2nd year‼️ Chapter leaders Cooper Dawson (@Cooper15Dawson) and Hombre Ken…
Mon, 06/27/2022 - 20:04
@ UpliftingAth
RT @ODUFootball: The guys had a great time yesterday with @UpliftingAth! It's more than a game!! Huge thanks to everyone who has and will…
Sat, 06/25/2022 - 23:33
@ UpliftingAth
RT @JustBBMedia: Back within a run! Michael A Taylor clubs a two-run homer and after falling behind 8-5, the Royals have climbed back to…
Sat, 06/25/2022 - 23:33
@ UpliftingAth
Three hits and counting today including a this homer for @Taylor_Michael3! Each one supporting the…
Sat, 06/25/2022 - 14:00
@ UpliftingAth
The inaugural @ODUFootball Lift For Life is today!! If you can’t make it out to S.B. Ballard Stadium still plenty o…
Sat, 06/25/2022 - 02:02
@ UpliftingAth
RT @zackkuntz_717: Can’t wait to see #MonarchNation out at S.B. Ballard tmrw to help us #TackleRare and help the #RareDiseaseCommunity ! @U…
Fri, 06/24/2022 - 22:55
@ UpliftingAth
RT @PennStateFball: Lift for Life is just ONE week away 🙌 Join Us → https://t.co/DFFUi8YY9q Donate → https://t.co/Rb1Fmbp6uD
Thu, 06/16/2022 - 13:30
@ UpliftingAth
Happy Birthday to our Chapter Success Manager, Levi Norwood (@LeviNorwood) ‼️ #WeTackleRare
Wed, 06/15/2022 - 20:43
@ UpliftingAth
@nicrish @PennStateFball @PSU_Uplifting Kids Clinic is on for this year!
Wed, 06/15/2022 - 17:59
@ UpliftingAth
PSU Football #LiftForLife is back! Open to the public ✅ Kids Clinic ✅ Whole Lotta Weight Thrown Around ✅ Supportin…
Sun, 06/12/2022 - 14:30
@ UpliftingAth
Happy Birthday to our Interim Board Chair, John Trzeciak‼️ #WeTackleRare
Fri, 06/10/2022 - 16:46
@ UpliftingAth
Thank you @Gretti_53 for the continued support and shoutout this morning on @gmfb ‼️ Looking forward to the skills…
Thu, 06/02/2022 - 19:27
@ UpliftingAth
Thank you to @BigTenNetwork for helping us share our message and continuing to bring awareness to the Rare Disease…
Wed, 06/01/2022 - 19:00
@ UpliftingAth
We are proud to continue the Underrepresented Researchers in Medicine (URM) Initiative! 2023 Young Investigator Gr…

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