Donate Now | Illinois Uplifting Athletes | 2016 Lift for Life
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its annual Lift for Life to support the rare disease community on Friday, June 23, at 8 a.m.
Lift for Life is the signature fundraising event for the Uplifting Athletes nationwide network of chapters led by college football student-athletes. The Illini Chapter continues its mission of using college football as a platform to inspire the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport.
This will be the sixth Illinois Chapter Lift for Life as part of Uplifting Athletes. Proceeds from the Illinois' annual Lift for Life support Uplifting Athletes and its commitment to life skills development, patient focused programs and rare disease research.
While the 2017 Illinois Lift for Life again pit eight teams comprised of Fighting Illini players competing in a series of strongman events, the fundraising portion will be to knock out as many bench press reps as possible in six minutes. Each team has a goal of 190 total reps during the allotted time. Fans and supporters can make a pledge for every bench press rep a particular team records during the event. So find your favorite 2017 Fighting Illini player and support his team. This year's event is not open to the public.
Last year, the Illini raised over $21,000 for the rare disease community and they've raised over $60,000 in the first five years of Lift for Life.
The Illinois Chapter began in 2011 and serves the rare disease community in honor of Andrew Carter, a former Illini offensive lineman who battled the rare disease acoustic neuroma. Carter is a rare disease survivor but, unfortunately, never played football again. He remains a strong supporter of the Illinois Chapter and his battle continues to serve as an inspiration for the Fighting Illini to serve the rare disease community.
» Andrew Carter's Story
Please support the Illinois Chapter and help the Fighting Illini reach their impressive $20,000 team Lift For Life goal.
» DONATE NOW
About Uplifting Athletes
A nonprofit organization founded in 2007, Uplifting Athletes inspires the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans and typically lacks financial incentive to make and market new treatments. With a network of university chapters run by current college football student-athletes, Uplifting Athletes has at least one chapter in each of the FBS Power Five Conferences. Overall since its inception Uplifting Athletes has had an economic impact of more than $400 million on the rare disease community. For more information about Uplifting Athletes, visit www.upliftingathletes.org.
