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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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Western Michigan

Chapter Established in 2018
Life Time Total $0.00

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.

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 2019
$456.00 Amount Raised
Campaigns
View Results
Western Michigan Lift For Life 2019
$1,116.00 Amount Raised
9 Campaigns
View Results

News & Past Events

Chapter Update: Honoring FBS senior chapter leaders and three teams post Week 14 victories
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 »
Chapter Update: Historical victory for Penn State and three other schools post Week 13 wins
Posted on Monday December 07, 2020
Penn State became the ninth program in college football to win 900 games with its road triumph over Rutgers. It was the Nittany Lions’ second win in a row in their 134th season. Running the football has been the formula for recent Penn State success offensively, as the Nittany Lions eclipsed 245-plus yards for the […] Continue Reading »
Beyond The Trophy: Get to know Western Michigan Chapter Vice President and safety Jake Moertl
Posted on Thursday December 03, 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 Moertl College: Western Michigan Height, weight, class, position: 6-0, 195-pound, junior, safety High School: Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois About Jake: The Illinois native found […] Continue Reading »
Chapter Update: Baylor rallies to win in dramatic fashion and six other teams record Week 12 victories
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 »
Chapter Update: Northwestern locks down Wisconsin to win fifth straight and four other teams register Week 11 victories
Posted on Monday November 23, 2020
Northwestern is 5-0 overall for the first time since 2015 after knocking off No. 10 Wisconsin. The last time the Wildcats knocked off an AP Top-10 team was 2011 when it beat Nebraska. The last time Northwestern held an AP Top-10 opponent to seven or fewer points was 1967 against Miami. The Wildcats defense produced […] Continue Reading »
Chapter Update: Illinois rallies to post first win and five other chapter schools record Week 10 victories
Posted on Monday November 16, 2020
Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Williams, Illinois twice rallied from 10 points down to win its first game of the season on the road at Rutgers. Williams established a single-game rushing record with 192 yards to surpass the 187 yards AJ Bush Jr. totaled in 2018 against Nebraska. Fighting Illini kicker James McCourt’s third […] Continue Reading »
Chapter Update: Notre Dame claims a thriller over No. 1 Clemson in double OT and four other chapter schools notch Week 9 victories
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 »
Chapter Update: Maryland rallies for historical victory and three other teams post Week 8 wins
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 »
Beyond The Trophy 2020: Get to know Western Michigan Chapter President and linebacker Zaire Barnes
Posted on Thursday October 15, 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: Zaire Barnes College: Western Michigan University Height, weight, class, position: 6-3, 225 pounds, junior, linebacker High School: Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois About Zaire: The […] Continue Reading »
Why support rare now?
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 »

Chapter Leadership

Current Chapter Leaders

Zaire Barnes President
Jake Moertl Vice President

#WeTackleRare

Thu, 04/15/2021 - 20:40
@ UpliftingAth
Thank you to #PatientAdvocacy organization @SLC6A1_Mom for partnering with us to co-fund critically needed researc…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 19:40
@ UpliftingAth
We are honored to partner with #PatientAdvocacy organization @TeamTelomereInc to co-fund important research in the…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 18:40
@ UpliftingAth
We are thankful to @ddx3x, one of seven #PatientAdvocacy organizations to partner with us in co-funding critically…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 17:43
@ UpliftingAth
Happy Birthday @thezach_smith!! Thanks for helping us tackle #rarediseases!
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 17:40
@ UpliftingAth
We are fortunate to partner with @CureSurf1, one of seven #PatientAdvocacy organizations to join us in co-funding i…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 16:40
@ UpliftingAth
Thankful that #PatientAdvocacy organization @CMTASTAR partnered with us to co-fund much needed #RareDiseaseResearch…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 15:40
@ UpliftingAth
Grateful to #PatientAdvocacy organization @LGDAlliance for partnering with us to co-fund vital #RareDiseaseResearch…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 14:35
@ UpliftingAth
Proud to partner with #PatientAdvocacy organization @CureCRB1 in our 2021 Young Investigator Draft to co-fund impor…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 13:13
@ UpliftingAth
One way that Uplifting Athletes is working to support minority health is through our URM initiative which provide o…
Thu, 04/15/2021 - 02:34
@ UpliftingAth
#WeTackleRare
Tue, 04/13/2021 - 14:24
@ UpliftingAth
Congratulations to Ukpong Eyo, PhD, University of Virginia, upon selection to our 2021 Young Investigator Draft Cla…
Mon, 04/12/2021 - 20:47
@ UpliftingAth
We’re proud to recognize Neha Nagpal, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital, as one of seven scientists to receive a $20,…
Mon, 04/12/2021 - 19:11
@ UpliftingAth
Over the past month you have helped us and 54 @NFL prospects elevate the #RareDiseaseCommunity. With the generous $…
Fri, 04/09/2021 - 20:31
@ UpliftingAth
A great interview in front of @NFL scouts for our last Reps For Rare Diseases participant. Congrats…
Fri, 04/09/2021 - 20:29
@ UpliftingAth
➡️ Uplifting Ambassador
Fri, 04/09/2021 - 13:29
@ UpliftingAth
Welcome to the team, @MossaAdele, PhD, from the @IcahnMountSinai ! Nominated by @ddx3x, Dr. Mossa has been presente…
Thu, 04/08/2021 - 14:19
@ UpliftingAth
Please join us in congratulating @Qinglan_Ling, PhD, from @UTSWNews, on her selection to our 2021 Young Investigato…
Wed, 04/07/2021 - 18:50
@ UpliftingAth
The team at Uplifting Athletes is growing! Go to https://t.co/OAZal9mwWt to learn more!

Uplifting Athletes Chapters

Lehigh University
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Western Michigan
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Princeton
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Penn
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Uplifting Athletes is a 501(c)3
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