Uplifting Athletes looks to continue growth with seventh Lift for Life

Photo: GoPSUsports.com

Members of the 2009 Penn State football squad are preparing to participate in the Seventh Annual Uplifting Athletes "Lift For Life" event, which has quickly become one of the summer highlight events in the State College community.

This year's event is scheduled for 2-7 p.m.  Friday, July 10 in Holuba Hall. Last year, more than 90 Nittany Lion football student-athletes tested their strength and endurance in this 11-exercise competition that raised more than $70,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association.

"Lift For Life" is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 per student or child and $10 per adult. Donations can also be made in advance and credited to a fan's favorite player's fundraising total by visiting www.liftforlife.upliftingathletes.org. Fans will have a chance to meet and get autographs from current and former members of the Penn State Football team.

Exciting improvements to this year's event include a "Fun Zone" with kids' games, a silent auction and onsite credit card processing.

Uplifting Athletes events are organized by current football student-athletes. The Penn State Football chapter of Uplifting Athletes is run by members of the Nittany Lion football team, including officers Brett Brackett, Jesse Alfreno, Patrick Mauti and Ryan Gmerek, as well as Brennan Coakley, Mike Farrell, Ty Howle, Stephen Joseph, Shelton McCullough and Matt Stankiewitch. More than $300,000 has been raised to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association in the first six years of the "Lift For Life" event. The group is looking to continue their success with this year's edition. Other events hosted by the Penn State chapter include the intercollegiate College Football Video Game Challenge (vs. the Maryland Football Chapter of Uplifting Athletes), Blue and White Game carnival activities and a fall donor appreciation luncheon.

"Uplifting Athletes is a group of Penn State football players working together in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for rare diseases," said Brackett, the Penn State chapter's president. "These rare diseases affect fewer than 200,000 Americans and consequently little attention is paid to them. As college football student-athletes, we believe we are in a position to make a difference. 'Lift for Life' is one way a small group of people can make a big impact on the lives of others.

Holuba Hall is located directly across from the East Area Locker Room and adjacent to the Lasch Football Building. Uplifting Athletes has worked hard to accommodate the growing number of fans who attend this annual event, including a more fan friendly set-up for "Lift For Life." The members of the football team will be put through 11 grueling physical tasks such as bench press, leg press, and less conventional events such as the tire flip and the iron cross. This event will be a test of strength and endurance as well as mental toughness.

Founded by Penn State Football teammates in 2003, "Lift For Life" continues to build awareness and raise funds for the Kidney Cancer Association. Uplifting Athletes is 501(c)3 national nonprofit organization that aligns college football with rare diseases and raises them as a national priority through outreach, research, education and advocacy.

For more information about Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes or to make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit www.upliftingathletes.org or contact Deloris Brobeck at (814) 865-1946 during normal business hours.