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

Fundraising Initiatives
News & Past Events

Posted on Thursday April 15, 2021
Empowering NFL prospects to use their Combine or Pro Day performance as a platform to give back and inspire the Rare Disease Community is what drives Uplifting Athletes Reps For Rare Diseases. 2021 marks the seventh consecutive year these athletes have used their platform to raise funds for Uplifting Athletes and introduce their fans, friends […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday December 14, 2020
As the 2020 college football season winds down, Uplifting Athletes would like to honor the contribution of nine veteran FBS chapter leaders in service to the Rare Disease Community. Thank you to Nolan Cooney of Syracuse, Thomas Ruocchio and Dylan Autenrieth of NC State, Michael Marchese of Illinois, Will Spiers of Clemson, Jack DeFoor of […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 30, 2020
Baylor snapped its five-game slide in dramatic fashion, using a 30-yard John Mayers field goal as time expired to come from behind and beat Kansas State by a point. The Bears twice overcame nine-point, fourth-quarter deficits and scored the final 10 points, including driving 57 yards in 10 plays to set up the winning kick. […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 09, 2020
For the ninth time in program history Notre Dame knocked off the No. 1 team in the country with a thrilling double overtime victory over fellow chapter school Clemson. Notre Dame extended its active win streak to 13 games, the most of any FBS school, and ended Clemson’s 36-game regular-season winning streak. Running back Kyren […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 02, 2020
Maryland rallied to record its most improbable victory in program history by coming from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to edge Minnesota at home in overtime. Before the Terrapins’ one-point victory over the Golden Gophers, Maryland was 0-71 overall when trailing by 17 points or more in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Taulia […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday October 26, 2020
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald earned his 100th victory as the Wildcats’ skipper behind a balanced offense led by Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey and a defense that surrendered only a first-quarter field goal to fellow chapter school Maryland. The 40-point margin of victory is the ‘Cats’ largest against a Big Ten opponent since 1970 when […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Thursday October 22, 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: Jake Funk College: University of Maryland Height, weight, class, position: 5-10, 203 pounds, redshirt senior, running back High School: Damascus High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland About Jake: […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday June 29, 2020
Nearly 30 million Americans are living with a rare disease and COVID-19 continues to present a myriad of challenges that is not only impacting the patients but their families and caregivers as well. At the top of the list is reduced access to vital medical care which, in turn, has exacerbated already existing challenges. Among […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday June 22, 2020
Uplifting Athletes is proud to announce the inaugural 7,000 Mile Challenge – a 10-day event starting July 17th that will bring focus and attention to the more than 7,000 known rare diseases. People affected by a rare disease are fighting against a finite clock that didn’t stop because of COVID-19. We’re letting the Rare Disease […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Wednesday June 17, 2020
COVID-19 has led to many adjustments of the college athletic schedule. The football student-athletes and programs Uplifting Athletes work with face a condensed time frame to prepare for the upcoming season under heightened safety precautions. In order to avoid any additional pressure, Uplifting Athletes made the decision to cancel all our annual Lift For Life […] Continue Reading »
Chapter Leadership
Current Chapter Leaders

Jack Wagman
President
Jake Funk
Vice President