Uplifting Athletes, a national nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of sport to support people impacted by rare diseases, celebrated 20 years of Lift for Life with Penn State University on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
The 20th Anniversary Lift for Life featured a variety of events and activities, including a skills competition, a fitness challenge, and an opportunity for fans and the community to be involved. The event was held at the Penn State Lasch Football Building outside on the turf field and was open and free to the public. All proceeds from the event will benefit Uplifting Athletes and its mission to empower college athletes to make a difference in the lives of those affected by rare diseases.
“The opportunity to host 20 years of Lift for Life and work with Uplifting Athletes is not a responsibility we take lightly,” says Penn State Football player Nick Dawkins. “We look forward to this event all summer and off-season as it truly brings the team together for a cause that is greater than ourselves.”
The challenges faced by the rare community are greater than any one person can face alone. In the United States, 1 in 10 Americans are affected by a rare disease, yet less than 5% of rare diseases have an FDA-approved treatment.
“This event is a great way for our athletes to come together and make a difference in the lives of those affected by rare disease,” said Uplifting Athletes Executive Director Rob Long. “We are grateful for the support of Penn State University and the Penn State community.”
The 20th Anniversary Lift for Life is a great opportunity to support a worthy cause, have fun, and interact with the Penn State Football team. Over the past 20 years, the Penn State Uplifting Athletes Chapter and supporters have raised over $1,500,000 in support of Uplifting Athletes.
For more information or to donate, please visit https://pledgeit.org/psufblift23.
About Uplifting Athletes
Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of the more than 30 million people impacted by rare diseases in America. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $8 million by engaging athletes in order to positively impact the rare disease community through driving action, awareness, and funding research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes visit upliftingathletes.org.
