July 19, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Members of the Maryland Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will participate in their first ever "Lift For Life" event Thursday, July 22, at 5 p.m. on the practice field next to Byrd Stadium in hopes of raising money to find a cure for cystic fibrosis.

Members of the Terrapin football team will participate in a number of grueling strength and conditioning drills, including tug-of-war and tire flips, as well as a number of fun to watch contests. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

Uplifting Athletes is a national nonprofit organization that aligns college football with rare diseases in hopes of raising them as a national priority through outreach, research, education and advocacy.

University chapters are operated by current football student-athletes at Boston College, Maryland, Penn State, Ohio State and Colgate to benefit a rare disease relevant to their team.

Maryland's chapter will donate all contributions made by spectators and fans at the event to the Boomer Esiason Foundation for research. A recommended donation of $5 for children and $10 for adults will be accepted at the event and fans can also make donations online.

For more information about Uplifting Athletes or to donate online, go to upliftingathletes.org. To donate to the Maryland Chapter of Uplifting Athletes, go to liftforlife.upliftingathletes.com.