HAMILTON, N.Y. (4/23/12) - The Colgate football team is excited to kick off its fifth annual Uplifting Athletes campaign and partake in its Lift for Life event on Wednesday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanford Field House.

This year, the Raiders are raising support and awareness for Ependymoma research.  Ependymoma is a rare cancer of the brain and spinal cord, affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans and consequently little attention is paid to it.  Colgate's chapter of Uplifting Athletes has made a continued commitment to raising awareness and funding for the Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network for the second straight year.

With your support, last year the team shattered expectations and raised more than $15,000, making the Raiders the most successful program in the division I FCS chapter of Uplifting Athletes. This event shows the collective effort and progress the Colgate football team has put into this offseason as well as the continued commitment supporting those who support the rare disease community. Lift for Life allows Colgate football players to use their blessing of good health and ability to help those suffering from the grave realities of Ependymoma.

“Four years ago, we had a former coach diagnosed with Ependymoma, forging a lasting connection between the Colgate football family and this rare disease,” said Tyler Danielsen the vice-president of Colgate's Chapter of Uplifting Athletes.  “Since then, his cancer has gone into remission, and he has fully returned to his normal life.”

“Through the gracious support of the Colgate community and local Hamilton businesses we feel that we could make a significant contribution to the on going fight against Ependymoma,” said Danielsen.

You can help support the Raiders cause by visiting www.upliftingathletes.com or send your donations, to Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY, 13346, Box number Z 5640

The Uplifting Athletes slogan states, “Together we are stronger”; with your help we can make an important contribution to those in need.

The Mid York Panthers pop-warner football team along with the cheerleader squad will also be there on Wednesday to hold their signup for the 2012 season. The football team is open for children between the ages of 5-12, while the cheerleading team is from 5-15.