Illinois Chapter Lift For Life: Team Echard

As members of Team Echard for the 2017 Illinois Chapter Lift For Life, we are proud to dedicate our performance in support of Uplifting Athletes and its mission to inspire the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport.

The 2017 Lift For Life Team Echard includes the following members of the 2017 Illinois Fighting Illini: Nate Echard (Captain), Tito Odenigbo, Jake Hansen, Adam Solomon, Cameron Watkins, Carmoni Green, Ryan Tucker, Andrew Trainer, Ra'Von Bonner, Blake Hayes, Lere Oladipo and Jake Stover.

Lift For Life is the signature fundraising event for the Illinois Chapter and our fellow college football student-athlete brothers who have joined the Uplifting Athletes nationwide network of chapters.

Our Lift For Life is scheduled for Friday, June 23rd starting at 8:00 a.m. The event is private this year.

Today, the challenges faced by the rare disease community are bigger than any one individual, team or organization can tackle alone. Here at Illinois we take pride in the opportunity to shine a spotlight on rare diseases and support Uplifting Athletes.

Fans and supporters can make a pledge for every bench press rep the team knocks out in six minutes. Our team goal is 180 total reps during our Lift for Life competition.

Please join our team by making a pledge today!

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How you can help

· Pledge for each bench press repetition the members of Team Echard knock out in six minutes

· Make a one-time flat donation

Proceeds from our annual Lift For Life support Uplifting Athletes and its commitment to life skills development, patient focused programs and rare disease research.

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About Uplifting Athletes

Uplifting Athletes is a national nonprofit that inspires the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport and empowers medical researchers to find cures. A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans and consequently lacks financial incentive to make and market new treatments.

Founded in 2007, Uplifting Athletes has college football student-athlete led chapters nationwide in FBS and FCS programs including half the schools in the Big Ten and ACC conferences.

The Illinois Chapter serves the rare disease community in honor of Andrew Carter, a former Illini offensive lineman who battled the rare disease acoustic neuroma starting in 2011. Carter is a rare disease survivor but never played football again. He is, though, still a strong supporter of the Illinois Chapter.

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Thank You!

Thank you for your support of the Illinois Chapter and the rare disease community. Every little bit helps. Please don’t forget to share this campaign and your support on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

#TogetherWeAreStronger!

Sincerely,

Illinois Chapter Team Echard