The 13th Annual Penn State Uplifting Athletes “Lift For Life” on Sat., July 11 raised $120,000 to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association.

Founded by Penn State Football teammates Scott Shirley, Dave Costlow and Damone Jones in 2003, Lift for Life is organized by Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes. The $120,000 in contributions this year brought the over-all total to more than $1.12 million raised by Penn State Uplifting Athletes in the battle against rare diseases since the inaugural Lift for Life was held in 2003.

More than 100 members of the Penn State football team participated in Saturday’s Lift For Life. The event was held at the Penn State Lacrosse Field for the fourth consecutive year, with approximately 2,5000 fans in attendance. The offense was victorious in a 31-30 come-from-behind victory over the defense. The event featured six strength and conditioning competitions: eight rotations of one-on-one battles in the 225-pound bench press, 400-pound “farmer” hold, obstacle course relay, deadlift, sled push/pull relay, and tire flip. The offense won three of the four tug-of-war battles to conclude the event.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved eight new therapies for the treatment of kidney cancer in the U.S. since the first Lift For Life in 2003. The Kidney Cancer Association has credited the Penn State Lift For Life as being a catalyst for the new treatments, according to Scott Shirley, Uplifting Athletes Executive Director.

Contributions to Penn State Uplifting Athletes in the fight against kidney cancer for 2014-15 will be accepted through September 30. Fans can make a Lift For Life donation by visiting the Penn State Uplifting Athletes donation page.

Photo: Steffen Blanco