Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Orange Raise $7,000 at 'Lift for Life'
7/20/2018 7:46:00 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y – The Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes hosted its sixth annual "Lift for Life" event on Friday, July 20 inside Manley Field House.
The Orange football squad divided its roster into nine teams and squared off in various athletic challenges to raise research funds and awareness for those affected by rare diseases.
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The Orange, who were also joined by children from Team IMPACT, have raised close to $7,000 for the rare-disease community with one week still left to donate. One-hundred percent of the contributions go to support Uplifting Athletes and its commitment to life skills development, patient-focused programs and rare-disease research. Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams.
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The teams, captained by linebacker Kielan Whitner, offensive lineman Sam Heckel, wide receiver K.K. Hahn, linebacker Ryan Guthrie, quarterback Eric Dungey, running back Dontae Strickland, defensive lineman Kendall Coleman, defensive back Christopher Fredrick and offensive lineman Keaton Darney, went head-to-head in a bench press competition, sled pull and push, tire flips, figure-eight relay, a shuttle drill and a medicine ball toss.
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Team Dungey was crowned the 2018 "Lift for Life" champion after defeating Team Heckel in the championship round tug-of-war.
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"It was definitely competitive. The guys like getting out here and doing something a little bit different than what we usually do," Whitner, public relations director for the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes, said. "It's good to give back to the Syracuse community and give them something to check out before we start the football season. It's fun getting out here to show off our talent and raise money for a good cause."
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The event was especially meaningful for Heckel, who himself lives with a rare blood disorder and serves as president of the Syracuse chapter. After quarterback Rex Culpepper's bout with testicular cancer earlier this year, Heckel values the organization's mission to raise awareness and research dollars for the treatment of rare diseases more than ever.
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"When I heard the news about Rex, my heart dropped," Heckel said. "As president, I knew I had to push myself for him to create more awareness and raise more money. The fact that Rex is back and going right now is incredible."
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Syracuse joined Uplifting Athletes in 2013 to honor former punter and team captain Rob Long who overcame Anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer that caused him to miss the final game of his career. In the spring, Long, currently the director of strategic development for Uplifting Athletes, and the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes were presented with the university's Orange Circle Award for their dedication to volunteerism and serving others.
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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, Uplifting Athletes has established 22 chapters with Division I football programs across the country. Overall since its inception 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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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
The Orange football squad divided its roster into nine teams and squared off in various athletic challenges to raise research funds and awareness for those affected by rare diseases.
Â
The Orange, who were also joined by children from Team IMPACT, have raised close to $7,000 for the rare-disease community with one week still left to donate. One-hundred percent of the contributions go to support Uplifting Athletes and its commitment to life skills development, patient-focused programs and rare-disease research. Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams.
Â
The teams, captained by linebacker Kielan Whitner, offensive lineman Sam Heckel, wide receiver K.K. Hahn, linebacker Ryan Guthrie, quarterback Eric Dungey, running back Dontae Strickland, defensive lineman Kendall Coleman, defensive back Christopher Fredrick and offensive lineman Keaton Darney, went head-to-head in a bench press competition, sled pull and push, tire flips, figure-eight relay, a shuttle drill and a medicine ball toss.
Â
Team Dungey was crowned the 2018 "Lift for Life" champion after defeating Team Heckel in the championship round tug-of-war.
Â
"It was definitely competitive. The guys like getting out here and doing something a little bit different than what we usually do," Whitner, public relations director for the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes, said. "It's good to give back to the Syracuse community and give them something to check out before we start the football season. It's fun getting out here to show off our talent and raise money for a good cause."
Â
The event was especially meaningful for Heckel, who himself lives with a rare blood disorder and serves as president of the Syracuse chapter. After quarterback Rex Culpepper's bout with testicular cancer earlier this year, Heckel values the organization's mission to raise awareness and research dollars for the treatment of rare diseases more than ever.
Â
"When I heard the news about Rex, my heart dropped," Heckel said. "As president, I knew I had to push myself for him to create more awareness and raise more money. The fact that Rex is back and going right now is incredible."
Â
Syracuse joined Uplifting Athletes in 2013 to honor former punter and team captain Rob Long who overcame Anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer that caused him to miss the final game of his career. In the spring, Long, currently the director of strategic development for Uplifting Athletes, and the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes were presented with the university's Orange Circle Award for their dedication to volunteerism and serving others.
Â
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, Uplifting Athletes has established 22 chapters with Division I football programs across the country. Overall since its inception 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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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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