Leverage public interest to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare diseases
Illinois
Uplifting Athletes Programs
Develops social influencers into leaders that make a positive impact on the rare disease community

Shares the platform of sport with the rare disease cause and raises it as a national priority

Creates special moments that enrich the lives of rare disease patients and their loved ones

Fundraising Initiatives
News & Past Events

Posted on Monday December 21, 2020
Clemson continued its dominance of the ACC, winning its sixth consecutive outright Conference title by controlling fellow chapter school Notre Dame in the championship game. Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who improved to 34-1 as a starter, was named game MVP on the strength of his 412 total yards (322 passing, 90 rushing) and three touchdowns. […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday December 14, 2020
As the 2020 college football season winds down, Uplifting Athletes would like to honor the contribution of nine veteran FBS chapter leaders in service to the Rare Disease Community. Thank you to Nolan Cooney of Syracuse, Thomas Ruocchio and Dylan Autenrieth of NC State, Michael Marchese of Illinois, Will Spiers of Clemson, Jack DeFoor of […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday December 07, 2020
Penn State became the ninth program in college football to win 900 games with its road triumph over Rutgers. It was the Nittany Lions’ second win in a row in their 134th season. Running the football has been the formula for recent Penn State success offensively, as the Nittany Lions eclipsed 245-plus yards for the […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 23, 2020
Northwestern is 5-0 overall for the first time since 2015 after knocking off No. 10 Wisconsin. The last time the Wildcats knocked off an AP Top-10 team was 2011 when it beat Nebraska. The last time Northwestern held an AP Top-10 opponent to seven or fewer points was 1967 against Miami. The Wildcats defense produced […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 16, 2020
Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Williams, Illinois twice rallied from 10 points down to win its first game of the season on the road at Rutgers. Williams established a single-game rushing record with 192 yards to surpass the 187 yards AJ Bush Jr. totaled in 2018 against Nebraska. Fighting Illini kicker James McCourt’s third […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 09, 2020
For the ninth time in program history Notre Dame knocked off the No. 1 team in the country with a thrilling double overtime victory over fellow chapter school Clemson. Notre Dame extended its active win streak to 13 games, the most of any FBS school, and ended Clemson’s 36-game regular-season winning streak. Running back Kyren […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 02, 2020
Maryland rallied to record its most improbable victory in program history by coming from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to edge Minnesota at home in overtime. Before the Terrapins’ one-point victory over the Golden Gophers, Maryland was 0-71 overall when trailing by 17 points or more in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Taulia […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday October 26, 2020
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald earned his 100th victory as the Wildcats’ skipper behind a balanced offense led by Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey and a defense that surrendered only a first-quarter field goal to fellow chapter school Maryland. The 40-point margin of victory is the ‘Cats’ largest against a Big Ten opponent since 1970 when […] Continue Reading »

Beyond The Trophy 2020: Get to know Illinois Chapter President and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski
Posted on Thursday October 01, 2020Each week during the college football season we will feature a player who is an officer for an Uplifting Athletes Chapter for our Beyond the Trophy series. Name: Alex Palczewski College: University of Illinois Height, weight, class, position: 6-6, 310 pounds, senior, offensive line High School: Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois About Alex: […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday June 29, 2020
Nearly 30 million Americans are living with a rare disease and COVID-19 continues to present a myriad of challenges that is not only impacting the patients but their families and caregivers as well. At the top of the list is reduced access to vital medical care which, in turn, has exacerbated already existing challenges. Among […] Continue Reading »
Chapter Leadership
Current Chapter Leaders

Alex Palczewski
President

Michael Marchese
Vice President