Uplifting Athletes
Casey O’Brien

Casey O’Brien

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...
Zack Mahoney

Zack Mahoney

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...
Antwan Dixon

Antwan Dixon

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...
Sam Heckel

Sam Heckel

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...
Nick Allegretti

Nick Allegretti

Nick was a two-time captain and finished his University of Illinois career with 36 consecutive starts, playing nearly every snap on the offensive line over his final two seasons. His family has a strong connection to the Rare Disease Community through his brother who...