April 22, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes announced today that the Penn State Lift For Life® will be held on Friday, July 11.
Approximately 90 Penn State Football student-athletes are expected to compete in this year's event with proceeds again benefiting the Kidney Cancer Association. In its sixth year, the organization has help raise awareness for this rare disease and generated more than $230,000 to support this worthwhile cause. More than 30,000 Americans are afflicted with kidney cancer each year. A record total of more than $80,000 was raised by the organization during the 2006-07 academic year.
This past weekend, current and former Penn State football student-athletes participated in a dunk tank during Blue-White Weekend activities. Uplifting Athletes raised more than $1,400 for the Kidney Cancer Association through the dunk tank and sale of Uplifting Athletes merchandise.
The Lift For Life® event is a strength and conditioning challenge that tests the mental and physical endurance of the student-athlete. Athletes are put through a challenging gauntlet of 11 exercises ranging from the traditional bench and leg presses to the less conventional giant tire flip and iron cross. The event offers fans a rare chance to experience Penn State Football up-close and personal. They will have a chance to meet and get autographs from current and former Nittany Lion football players and also see elements of the workout every player must endure as part of his preparation for the team.
Lift For Life® is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10 per person or $5 for students or children. The competition will be held in Holuba Hall on the University Park campus and is scheduled from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 1:30.
Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes is a student organization run by current football student-athletes, including Brett Brackett (president), Jesse Alfreno (vice president), Patrick Mauti (secretary), Tyler Ahrenhold, Brennan Coakley, Ryan Gmerek, Kevion Latham, Josh Matzkin, Doug Rheam and Anthony Scirrotto. The organization's mission is to raise awareness and funds for rare diseases such as kidney cancer as well as to provide a professional enrichment program for the college football student-athlete.
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 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.