July 9, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the past 12 years, Uplifting Athletes, a Penn State Football player-run organization, has bonded together to lead the fight against kidney cancer.
To date, the group has raised more than $1 million for the Kidney Cancer Association since the first Lift For Life in 2003. A highlight on the summer calendar in Happy Valley, Uplifting Athletes hosts Lift For Life, a grueling test of physical and mental strength, on Saturday to benefit the kidney cancer awareness and research efforts.
Founded by Nittany Lion football teammates Scott Shirley, Dave Costlow and Damone Jones in 2003, Penn State's chapter of Uplifting Athletes is led by current president and linebacker Ben Kline. Kline and his fellow officers are primed to host another tremendous event on Saturday.
"This is a culmination of a lot of hard work throughout the calendar year," Kline said. "This last push is pretty hectic, but it is really exciting. It is another year of great fundraising down. We are really excited to go out there and have a celebration with all of the fans for the work we have put in all year. We will raise some money and then make our donation to the Kidney Cancer Association. This is the best part of the year for Uplifting Athletes."
This year's event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Penn State Lacrosse Field (located next to the Multisport Building). The Uplifting Athletes group has again placed an emphasis on fan interaction in 2015. Penn State fans will have an opportunity to meet the Nittany Lions on the field from 1-2 p.m. during a meet and greet and autograph session. Additionally, members of the squad will host a kids clinic on the field as the Lift For Life event takes place.
"It's really cool to have the kids on the field with us during the actual event," Kline said. "They enjoyed it so much last year. And hearing from the guys who ran the kids clinic last year, they had a blast, so it's just a fun, interactive way to get the kids involved with us on the field. It's good for all parties involved."
Lift For Life is the marquee event for the Uplifting Athletes group and the culmination of fundraising efforts for the year. It is circled by fans and members of the community each summer, but it is also a highlight for the members of the team, who jump at the opportunity to participate in the voluntary event.
"The community plays such a big role in this," Kline said. "People are always asking us how they can help and what our next event is because they genuinely care about the cause. And the guys on the team love being a part of this. That's what makes this so special. It makes our job easy."
All of the money raised by Uplifting Athletes goes directly to the Kidney Cancer Association and is earmarked for research. Since the first Lift For Life in 2003, eight new treatments have come to market as a direct result of the research dollars Uplifting Athletes has raised.
"It's been really cool for us to take our platform as Penn State football players and use it to directly affect the lives of people who need assistance," Kline said. "You have people who are living longer and living more fulfilling lives as a direct result of the work we have been able to do as football players."
In the heart of the summer workout season, the team will have an opportunity to showcase efforts and gains during the summer conditioning program. Saturday marks the only workout all year where the team competes in front of its loyal supporters. Saturday's event, led by Assistant Athletic Director of Performance Enhancement Dwight Galt and his staff, will consist of six events before a tug of war at the center of the field. The competition will again pit the offense against the defense.
The list of events includes: - 225-pound Bench Press Competition - Dead Lift - Sled Push/Pull - Tire Flip - Farmer's Hold (Who can hold 400 pounds the longest) New for 2015 - Obstacle Course
Parking Information for Lift for Life on Saturday, July 11 Visitor parking for the event will be available at Lot 44, located just east of the Bryce Jordan Center and accessible via Dauer Drive (from University Drive), Porter Road and Curtin Road.
With event parking sales for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in effect on Saturday, July 11, parking at Lot 44 will require payment of a $5 event parking fee (cash only) or display of a valid Penn State parking permit.