Football | October 02, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University's chapter of Uplifting Athletes will use Bronco football to help fight rare diseases throughout October. The organization, run by college football student-athletes, is partnering with WMU for a touchdown drive during the month.

Senior safety Justin Tranquill is president of the local chapter. The Broncos are asking fans to make a pledge for each touchdown scored during the month at pledgeit.org/wmutd19.

Proceeds from the drive support the mission of Uplifting Athletes and its charitable programs: rare disease awareness, rare disease research, uplifting experiences and uplifting leaders. The grassroots effort of the WMU chapter, along with a nationwide network of college football teams, is uniquely positioned to educate and engage the local community and shine a spotlight on rare diseases, those that affect fewer than 200,000 Americans and typically lack financial incentives to develop and market new treatments.

Western Michigan hosted a Rare Disease Awareness Game against Syracuse to open the 2018 season.

Earlier this year, former Bronco running back Jamauri Bogan participated in the 2019 Uplifting Athletes Reps For Rare Diseases campaign and the Western Michigan chapter held its inaugural Lift For Life. 

A nonprofit organization founded in 2007, Uplifting Athletes inspires those affected by rare diseases with hope through the power of sport.

Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $4.5 million in support of those affected by rare diseases with a third of that, $1.5 million, given to fund rare disease research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes visit www.upliftingathletes.org.

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