Teaming Up to Fight Rare Diseases

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In addition to the nine teams of Syracuse football student-athletes competing in the 2016 "Lift for Life," this year's event features a 10th entry made up of some very special guests.

The U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum has formed a team and will compete against the Orange in a series of challenges to assist the Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes in raising research funds and awareness for rare diseases.

"It's an honor to have the 10th Mountain Division soldiers as our guests," said Jason Emerich, president of the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes. "Our relationship with Fort Drum has grown immensely in my time here and to have them partner with us in the fight against rare diseases means a lot."

This year's "Lift for Life" is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20. It is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. inside Manley Field House. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and parking is free in the Manley North Lot.

Contestants will square off in a series of events, including a tire flip race, a medicine ball toss and a prowler push. The top four teams advance to the semifinals where a plate hold will determine the two finalists. A tug-of-war will determine this year's champion.

Supporters are invited to select a team and back that group with their donations. After the event, fans are invited onto the field for selfies and autographs with their favorite Orange players.

To date, the Syracuse chapter's 2016 campaign has raised more than $10,000. To support the Orange and help them meet their fundraising goal of $15,000, please visit: give.upliftingathletes.org/syracuse2016

The Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes was founded in 2013 by former long snapper Sam Rodgers in honor of teammate Rob Long. In 2010, Long was diagnosed with Anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer, and missed the final game of his career – Syracuse's Pinstripe Bowl victory over Kansas State.

Long has since made a full recovery, but rare diseases continue to affect thousands of families across the country.

One such family are the Belfields from Mexico, N.Y. In early 2015, 7-year-old Lillian Belfield was diagnosed with Anaplastic astroblastoma, a disease similar to Long's. The Orange met Lillian and her family last summer. Since then, the Syracuse chapter has maintained a connection with the Belfields, offering encouragement and support.

In April, Lillian and her twin sister, Emma, delivered the game ball prior for Syracuse's 2016 Spring Scrimmage at the Carrier Dome. Earlier this summer, Emerich and his teammates attended one of Lillian's soccer games.

This year's "Lift for Life" marks the second time in the last two months the Orange have hosted members of the 10th Mountain Division. In June, soldiers visited the Ensley Athletic Center for the second annual Syracuse-Fort Drum Combine, a series of fitness tests modeled after the NFL Scouting Combine.

ABOUT UPLIFTING ATHLETES
A nonprofit organization founded in 2007, Uplifting Athletes inspires the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans and typically lacks financial incentive to make and market new treatments. With a network of university chapters run by current college football student-athletes that spans all the major conferences, Uplifting Athletes has had an economic impact of more than $400 million on the rare disease community. For more information about Uplifting Athletes, visit www.upliftingathletes.org.

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