Western Michigan

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

Western Michigan Touchdown Pledge Drive 2018
$2,909.00 Amount Raised
Campaigns
View Results
Western Michigan Lift For Life 2019
$1,116.00 Amount Raised
9 Campaigns
View Results

News & Past Events

Lift For Life 2019 was a tremendous success and saw a record 21 college football chapters hold events
Posted on Friday August 09, 2019
Over the course of five months, earlier this year, a record 21 members of the Uplifting Athletes’ chapter network held our signature event, Lift For Life, to raise awareness and funds in support of the Rare Disease Community. Lift For Life 2019 was conducted in two phases. It started in Philadelphia with Penn on February […] Continue Reading »
Rare Road Trip 2019 closes the curtain on Lift For Life season
Posted on Thursday August 01, 2019
Phase 2 of Uplifting Athletes’ network of chapters Lift For Life season was culminated with Rare Road Trip 2019. In the spring, seven of our chapters held these signature events to support our mission to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport. Those seven schools set the table for the […] Continue Reading »
Western Michigan announces inaugural Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community set for June 28
Posted on Monday June 17, 2019
The Western Michigan Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its inaugural Lift For Life to support the Rare Disease Community on Friday, June 28. Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Western Michigan University Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. WMU is a part of Uplifting Athletes’ nationwide network of chapters led by college […] Continue Reading »
2019 Reps For Rare Diseases campaign set new standards across the board
Posted on Tuesday April 02, 2019
During a pivotal time in their football lives, more than 50 NFL prospects used their first opportunities as professional athletes to give back. The Uplifting Athletes 2019 Reps For Rare Diseases showcased these athletes in a month-long campaign that kicked off in late February with the NFL Combine and ran through March with individual NFL […] Continue Reading »
Uplifting Athletes’ 10th Leadership Development Conference in Atlanta covered a lot of ground
Posted on Wednesday January 30, 2019
The essential core of the Uplifting Leaders program is the college football student-athletes that steer our chapters at universities across the country. This past weekend more than 40 individual leaders from 20 college football programs traveled to Atlanta for the 10th annual Leadership Development Conference. The three-day conference was hosted by Uplifting Athletes, and run […] Continue Reading »
Uplifting Athletes to welcome 40-plus college football student-athletes for 10th Leadership Development Conference in Atlanta
Posted on Tuesday January 15, 2019
The bedrock of the Uplifting Leaders program at Uplifting Athletes is the college football student-athletes that guide our nationwide network of chapters. These student-athletes already have the drive and passion to help others and that is why they chose to step up and become chapter leaders to help us serve the Rare Disease Community. In […] Continue Reading »
A successful 2018 Year In Review
Posted on Wednesday December 12, 2018
May your days be filled with Peace, Hope and Joy this Holiday Season! On behalf of the 30 million Americans that comprise the Rare Disease Community, our staff and team of college football student-athletes thank you for your loyalty and support in 2018!  It has been a memorable year and we thank you for helping […] Continue Reading »
Dramatic last-second FCS playoff victory by Colgate highlights Week 14 Chapter Update
Posted on Tuesday December 04, 2018
Colgate hosted its first playoff game in 15 years, and the wait was well worth it. Junior kicker Chris Puzzi set a school record with his 15th field goal of the season – drilling a 38-yard kick just inside the right upright as time expired to win it for the Raiders. Next up for the […] Continue Reading »
October meant much more than six points per touchdown for the Rare Disease Community
Posted on Wednesday October 31, 2018
For the participating members of our nationwide network of college football student-athlete led chapters, touchdowns during the month of October meant more than six points on the board. Each touchdown provided support to the Rare Disease Community. The Touchdown Pledge Drive 2018 month-long campaign took place on 15 university campuses. Clemson, Colgate, Davidson, Fordham, Illinois, […] Continue Reading »
One mother’s uplifting ALGS rare disease journey for her family
Posted on Tuesday October 23, 2018
  Uplifting Athletes hosted Roberta Smith and her daughters for an Uplifting Experience at the August 31st Rare Disease Awareness Game between Syracuse and Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We were fortunate enough to learn Roberta’s Rare Disease story and we are honored to provide the platform for Roberta to share her story. By Roberta […] Continue Reading »

Chapter Leadership

Chapter Leaders

Justin Tranquill President
Zaire Barnes Vice President

#WeTackleRare

Uplifting Athletes Chapters