by Justin Kirk | Mar 16, 2023
Shaquem was born with the rare disorder amniotic band syndrome of his left hand. He endured the pain for four years before his hand was surgically removed in 1999. Shaquem was told “you can’t” most of his life, but he loved the game of football and his passion to play...
by Justin Kirk | Mar 16, 2023
Casey was a standout quarterback as a freshman in high school before being diagnosed with the rare disease osteosarcoma. Athletics were a big part of his life up to that point – Casey also played ice hockey, lacrosse, ran track and took up golf for which he was...
by Justin Kirk | Mar 16, 2023
Before Zach walked on at Syracuse University after a year of junior college football, his passion for the Rare Disease Community already existed. Zach had a childhood friend, Blake Donegan, who he fell out of touch with for quite a while. When Zach saw his friend...
by Justin Kirk | Mar 16, 2023
Antwan was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder aplastic anemia in high school. He continued to play football until 2016 when his rare disease diagnosis took a turn for the worse. Forced to leave Kent State University, Antwan was in-and-out of the hospital, went...
by Justin Kirk | Mar 16, 2023
Sam lived out his dream of playing big-time college football as an offensive lineman for three seasons after nearly dying from complications related to his rare diagnosis. The native of Wisconsin lives with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TPP), a rare...
