About Princeton University Uplifting Athletes

Members of the Princeton football team have officially launched another chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a national organization that works with college football players to fund rare disease research. The team has decided to raise money and awareness for aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disorder in which the body's bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells.  The team chose aplastic anemia in honor of teammate Jordan Culbreath who was named the 2011 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion.

"It was a no-brainer to raise awareness and money for aplastic anemia," Chapter President Brandon Glyck says.  "There wasn't really an outlet for our team to give back to the community.  We found it with Uplifting Athletes especially after seeing what Jordan overcame."

In 2009, Princeton Running Back Jordan Culbreath was sidelined because of an ankle injury.  In a matter of days, his life had changed after admitting he hadn't felt well in months.  Through numerous tests, it was confirmed he had aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder.  From worrying about first downs and blocking, Culbreath was now worried about his life. He eventually received immune suppressant therapy treatment from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, fortunately located close to his house. An expert on the disease was located there.

“I had never had a broken finger,” Culbreath said. “This was all a first for me.”

Culbreath went through months of treatment, including blood and platelet transfusions. Jordan says he had his good days and bad days. As far as football, the junior running back thought it was probably over.

“I went through senior day and everything,” Culbreath says.

But Culbreath was determined to make a comeback. He was given a clean bill of health 6 months after treatment and was allowed back in the weight room. Very few people knew of his intentions to try to play again because there was a chance it wasn’t going to happen. Culbreath spoke to the new coaching staff and all agreed if he could perform on the field, he could play.

“The whole meaning of football changed for me,” Culbreath said. “It wasn’t about personal goals, it was about getting back on the field.”

With grit and determination, two characteristics Culbreath had always had, he returned to play his senior year and appreciated every minute of playing time. Scoring a touchdown in the Lafayette game, his second game back, was extra special. Culbreath finished his football career at Princeton ranked 8th all-time in rushing with 1,935 rushing yards.

Jordan was an inspiration for his teammates and was named a co-captain in 2010. He was also an inspiration to the rare disease community. By using the blog CaringBridge.org, Jordan was able to reach out to other players, families and complete strangers inspired by his story.

“It definitely meant the world to me to see all these people wishing me well,” Culbreath said.

Jordan's comeback was remarkable; he was named the 2011 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion.  He was honored at the College Football Hall of Fame in May.