Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

uplifting athletes jpeg
WIU Athletics

WIU Football teams up with Uplifting Athletes to help tackle rare diseases on November 12

Inspired by punter Max Blaschke, the Western Illinois University football program is partnering with Uplifting Athletes to hold a Touchdown and Turnover Pledge Drive.

The Leathernecks plan to use their home game on November 12 against Indiana State to hold their Touchdown and Turnover Pledge Drive to inspire and support the rare disease community.

Blaschke, who is a nominee for the 2022 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team, was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy early in his life and was told at the age of eight years old he would not be able to play sports, go to college, or hold a job on his own because of his diagnosis. He learned that his dreams were possible through his commitment to hard work and perseverance.

"I am grateful that I am able to share my story to inspire hope in others with similar stories," Blaschke said. "It's important to never give up hope, you can do anything you want with your life, you just have to be willing to work hard enough to get to it."

Uplifting Athletes works with athletes to educate them about the platform sports provides to make a difference and empowers them to use that platform to help ensure no person impacted by a rare disease feels alone in their journey and that everyone is inspired with hope for the future. You can help tackle rare disease by making a pledge for each touchdown scored and turnover forced by the Leathernecks against Indiana State. Then watch and cheer among fans, friends, and family as each Western Illinois big play helps raise money to support people impacted by rare diseases.

To support the Western Illinois Chapter Touchdown and Turnover Pledge Drive, visit pledgeit.org/wiutd22 and pledge now! You can also make a flat donation.

Proceeds from the 2022 Western Illinois Touchdown and Turnover Pledge Drive support Uplifting Athletes and its commitment to create Uplifting Leaders, fund rare disease research, engage in Uplifting Experiences, and expand rare disease awareness.
 
"Max's story is inspiring and he has gone the extra mile in using his platform as a collegiate athlete to make a difference in the lives of others," Uplifting Athletes' Chapter Success Manager Levi Norwood said. "With the first event at WIU, he is bringing others along with him, his teammates, to continue to further his commitment to making a difference in the lives of so many impacted by rare diseases."

Today, the challenges faced by the rare disease community are bigger than any one individual, team or organization can tackle alone. Western Illinois is using this opportunity to join forces with Uplifting Athletes to help shine a spotlight on rare diseases. Please consider supporting the efforts of Blaschke and his Leathernecks teammates as they strive to reach their impressive $2,000 Touchdown and Turnover Pledge Drive goal.

Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of people impacted by rare diseases. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $7 million by engaging athletes in order to positively impact the rare disease community through driving action and funding research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes visit www.upliftingathletes.org
 
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Now Playing:

Related Stories