Frequently Answered Questions
What is an Uplifting Experience?
An Uplifting Experience is a deliberate and coordinated effort to connect a member or members of the rare disease community with an athlete, team, or sports organization for a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience at no cost to participants. Uplifting Athletes partners across the country to provide those with a rare diagnosis or those who care for them with tickets to games, professional practices, meet and greets, stadium tours, on-field experiences, special events, and so much more. In an effort to create a brighter future where no person impacted by rare diseases feels alone, these experiences provide an opportunity to harness the power of sport to bring communities together.
Are there any fees associated with attending an Uplifting Experience?
Due to the incredible generosity of our athletic community and program sponsors, there are no fees associated with participating in an Uplifting Experience.
Do you provide transportation, hotel stays, food, or money for incidental expenses during the Experience?
Uplifting Athletes is happy to provide reimbursement on approved expenses associated with your Uplifting Experience, with a $600 maximum per year. Please inquire with our team for a detailed list of approved reimbursable expenses prior to your family’s Uplifting Experience at UpliftingExperiences@Upliftingathletes.org.
Can I request a specific team or athlete experience for myself or a loved one?
While we do not currently have the internal capacity to fulfill individual Uplifting Experience requests at this time, we encourage you to share any ideas you may have for a future Uplifting Experience with us! Your feedback will better position us to offer the opportunity in the future.
Does my family qualify for an Uplifting Experience? Who can attend?
Registration for an Uplifting Experience is open to anyone directly impacted by a rare diagnosis, including those individual’s parents, siblings, caregivers, and family members experiencing bereavement.If you’re unsure if you qualify for our program, please reach out to us.
What medical accommodations do you provide during the experience?
While we are unable to provide or fund the purchase of any medical equipment during your Uplifting Experience, we will make every effort to support the coordination of your family member’s needs relating to ADA accessibility, dietary restrictions, additional ticket(s) for medical aid, or other requests that will allow for a comfortable and enjoyable time at the event’s venue.
Can I attend more than one Uplifting Experience?
We do not currently have a limit on the number of experiences your household may attend. However, for opportunities with limited availability, those who have not attended an Uplifting Experience before will receive priority consideration.
What type of verification is required to qualify for an Uplifting Experience?
Anyone impacted by rare disease is encouraged to apply for an Uplifting Experience. Our team reviews and screens every application to ensure eligibility for our program. With the health and safety of our participants in mind, registrants may also be asked to verify any medical needs or accommodations required to ensure we can provide an enjoyable Uplifting Experience.
Where can I find your upcoming events calendar and register?
Please visit UpliftingAthletes.org/Experiences to view our upcoming events and register. If you do not see an event in your area, you can also submit your information by clicking “Attend a Future Uplifting Experience” to be the first to be notified of upcoming opportunities as they become available!
What if I register for an event and I am unable to attend in person due to unforeseen circumstances or health challenges?
The health and safety of our community is always our top priority! We believe everyone deserves to find inspiration and community through an Uplifting Experience, and we understand that health challenges or unforeseen situations may arise leading up to your scheduled Uplifting Experience. We kindly ask for you to let us know as soon as possible if you’re unable to attend. Due to the nature of our program, it may not be possible to recreate the same experience at a later date, however, we will work with you to ship a special care package directly to your home following the event.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please reach out to us via email at UpliftingExperiences@UpliftingAthletes.org and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
