Penn State football’s annual Life for Life, which is hosted by Uplifting Athletes, is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 at the Lasch Practice Fields, the team announced Thursday. 

The event’s 20th-year edition will feature James Franklin’s offensive unit challenging the defense in several strength-based events to raise money and awareness toward rare diseases. 

For the second-straight year, Lift for Life will welcome fans after the COVID-19 pandemic put the event on hold in 2020 and 2021. Traditionally, the open-door showcase is held during Arts Fest weekend, as this year marks just the fifth time Lift for Life and Arts Fest are scheduled for non-coinciding dates. 

About 80 members of Penn State’s football team are expected to perform in Lift for Life. The event is free for spectators, but donations of $10 for adults and $5 for kids are typically encouraged to support Uplifted Athletes’ mission. 

Uplifting Athletes was started in 2007 by former Penn State football player Scott Shirley, whose father developed a rare form of kidney cancer. Shirley founded the organization with the goal of connecting Division I football programs to individuals fighting rare diseases for encouragement and financial relief. 

Since Uplifting Althetes’ inception, the organization has expanded beyond Penn State to 26 more chapters on other college campuses, including Notre Dame, Clemson, Baylor, and Northwestern. Penn State has led the organization’s fundraising charge with over $1.4 million raised since 2007.