The Northwestern Chapter of Uplifting Athletes, led by President Tommy Doles, is counting on the Wildcats offense to put a few touchdowns on the board Saturday, September 16 for its 2017 Touchdown Pledge Drive when Northwestern welcomes Bowling Green to Ryan Field.

Uplifting Athletes chapters are run by football student-athletes. So, for fans, this is a great way to support the players on your favorite team off the field in their efforts to use the power of sport for social good.

The leadership team of the student-athlete led Northwestern Chapter and all the members of the 2017 Wildcats squad is asking fans to support their efforts to make a difference in the rare disease community by making a pledge through the Northwestern Chapter online Touchdown Pledge Drive site.

Fans can simply make a pledge for each touchdown the Wildcats score that day and they can follow along to see the impact they are helping the players make.

The proceeds from Touchdown Pledge Drive 2017 support the mission of Uplifting Athletes and its charitable programs: Rare Disease Awareness, Rare Disease Research, Uplifting Experiences and Uplifting Leaders.

The challenges faced by the rare disease community are bigger than any one individual, team or organization can tackle alone. The grassroots effort of the Northwestern Chapter, along with a nationwide network of teams, is uniquely positioned to educate and engage the local community and shine a spotlight on rare diseases.

When the Northwestern Chapter was formed in 2011, the Wildcats were inspired by former Northwestern and Notre Dame coach the late Ara Parseghian’s support of the rare disease Niemann-Pick Type C. More recently, the leaders of the chapter chose to use a personal relationship and added ALS as part of the motivation to support the rare disease community through Uplifting Athletes.

Support the Northwestern Chapter and its efforts to make a difference in the rare disease community by signing up for its Touchdown Pledge Drive today!