June 6, 2012
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern football fans are invited to visit the Ryan Field complex on Friday, July 27 at 6 p.m. to not only watch the 'Cats prepare for the 2012 season, but also help raise money for a worthy cause with the second annual Lift for Life event. Put on by the Northwestern chapter of Uplifting Athletes, members of the football team will compete in various strength, speed and agility events and host a social following the event with proceeds benefiting the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation.
Lift for Life is a free event held on NU's FieldTurf practice field, located northeast of Ryan Field. Donations towards the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation are encouraged and T-shirts will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the foundation. Fans will have a chance to meet their favorite Wildcat football players and coaches following the event at the social.
"We are very excited to be holding our second-annual Lift for Life this July," NU defensive lineman Quentin Williams said. "Last year's event received a lot of praise, raising significant awareness and funding for the rare disease Niemann-Pick Disease Type-C. Like all charity events, the Lift for Life is an opportunity to give to a great cause while having a great experience."
This particular charity holds a special place in the hearts of the Northwestern community. Former NU head football coach Ara Parseghian created the research foundation in 1994 to help find a cure for Neimann-Pick Disease Type C, or NP-C, which has affected three of his grandchildren. NP-C is a rare genetic, neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects young children and usually is fatal by adolescence. Currently there is no cure or approved treatment for the disease, which causes progressive deterioration of the nervous system.
Formed in October of 2010, the Northwestern chapter of the national Uplifting Athletes organization uses college football as a platform to generate awareness and funds to help cure rare diseases.
"What makes Uplifting Athletes special is the opportunity to raise money toward saving the lives of young children who look up to us as college student-athletes," Williams said. "At the same time, we get to do this all by doing what we love - preparing for our upcoming Big Ten title run.
"We hope Wildcat and football fans alike come out to Ryan Field to join us in supporting these young lives and watch a competitive workout in celebration of the Lift for Life!"
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