UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes’ Eighth Annual Lift for Life is set for Friday, July 9, with doors to Holuba Hall opening at 1:30 p.m. Proceeds again will benefit the Kidney Cancer Association.
The 2010 Uplifting Athletes officers include Brett Brackett (Lawrenceville, N.J.) as President and newcomers Mike Farrell (Pittsburgh), Ty Howle (Wake Forest, N.C) and Mike Yancich (Washington) taking over as Vice President, Head of Operations and Secretary, respectively. A chapter record 22 additional Nittany Lions have devoted their time and effort into making the 2010 Lift for Life the best to date.
Over its initial seven years, the Penn State Lift For Life has grown tremendously. Once again last year, more than 90 Nittany Lion football student-athletes tested their strength and endurance in an 11-event strength and conditioning challenge that raised a record total in excess of $80,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association.
This year, 80 members of the Nittany Lion football team are scheduled to compete in 20 teams of four. A list of the teams will be posted at http://liftforlife.upliftingathletes.org/lfl2/.
Nearly $400,000 has been raised for the Kidney Cancer Association in the first seven years of the event’s existence. Members of the Nittany Lion Football squad are working hard in preparation for this year’s event, which will be held from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Holuba Hall.
To help the Nittany Lion Football Student-Athletes reach their goal, fans can visit the team donation page at: http://liftforlife.upliftingathletes.org/lfl2/
Founded by Penn State Football teammates in 2003, Lift For Life has continued to build awareness and raise funds for the Kidney Cancer Association. The event is organized by Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes SM, whose members are on the Penn State football team, led by Brett Brackett, president of the chapter.
“Uplifting Athletes SM is a group of Penn State football players working together in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for rare diseases,” said Brackett, who will be a senior wide receiver this fall. “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 SM 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.
Lift For Life is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 per students/child and $10 per adult. Fans will have a chance to meet and get autographs from current and former members of the Penn State Football team.
For more information about Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes SM or the Penn State Football Lift for Life, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit http://www.upliftingathletes.org or contact Deloris Brobeck at (814) 865-1946 during business hours. Uplifting Athletes, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates as a national charter and serves as a uniting force to help change the perception of rare diseases.
Jeff Nelson, Penn State University
