Uplifting Stories

More than 30-million Americans are affected by a rare disease. Yet, a diagnosis of any kind can make one feel isolated. Uplifting Athletes wants you to know you are not alone. We want to share inspirational stories from those affected by a rare disease, whether it's directly or indirectly. Maybe you have some advice for others or have raised awareness for a disease. Here are some of our favorites, but we are always looking for more! Feel free to send us your most inspirational stories. We'll post them here! Email info@upliftingathletes.org.

Recent Uplifting Stories

Rex Burkhead: Inspiring His Biggest Fan

Post date: Thursday, Aug 16, 2012

It’s not unheard of for Nebraska Running Back Rex Burkhead to have lunch with a stranger since often times, special visitors have lunch with a Cornhusker. It’s part of an outreach program the football team has participated in for community service. For Burkhead, he never could have predicted that lunch would turn into a fulfilling friendship this past summer.

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Wayne Crawford: Building a Foundation

Post date: Thursday, Aug 16, 2012

Wayne Crawford recalls November 20, 2009, well. It’s the day the Wolfpack senior center, along with his teammates, found out their offensive coordinator Dana Bible had Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia or cancer of the blood.
“We were shocked and, yet, I knew we wanted to help,” Crawford says. “I’ve been affected by rare diseases in my family and then this.”

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Luke Gane: Fighting Back

Post date: Thursday, Aug 16, 2012

At the time, Luke Gane considered himself a typical sophomore. It was July 2008, and Luke was getting ready for the all-important junior year of high school football season. He had his wisdom teeth removed and afterwards, found himself spitting up blood. It was chalked up to a side-effect of the surgery. Little did Luke know, his health was in jeopardy. In the days ahead, Luke became fatigued...

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