About Northwestern University Uplifting Athletes

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Uplifting AthletesSM is a group of Northwestern football players working together to raise awareness and funds for rare diseases. These rare diseases affect fewer than 200,000 Americans and consequently little attention is paid to them. As college football student-athletes we believe we are in a position to make a difference. Northwestern has chosen to benefit Niemann-Pick Type C, a rare genetic cholesterol storage disorder that deteriorates the nervous system. Niemann-Pick Type C primarily strikes children with death occurring before or during adolescence. There is also an adult onset form of Niemann-Pick Type C.

The team chose Niemann-Pick Type C in honor of former Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian. Parseghian started the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation after his three youngest grandchildren were diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C in 1994.

"Coach Parseghian talked to our football team during Homecoming last year and he was so inspiring," Northwestern University chapter president Al Netter says. "We wanted to honor him, one of the greatest football coaches of all time."

Netter says getting his Northwestern teammates to rally around Niemann-Pick Type C as a cause has been somewhat easy.

"I'm constantly getting guys asking how they can help out," Netter says. "They just want to get involved."

The Northwestern chapter of Uplifting Athletes will host its first official fundraising event, Lift For Life, on July 22, 2011. Netter says they are viewing the Lift For Life as a way for fans and the football players' families to send the team off to camp.

"We have a 'Meet the Team Night' but this will be different because it's before football camp starts in August," Netter.

Plus, this fundraising event ultimately helps a great cause - those affected by Niemann-Pick Type C. Netter says the opportunity to launch an Uplifting Athletes chapter is perfect.

"We're looking at this like we are running a small business," Netter says. "And this business will truly change people's lives."