WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross football team held its Lift for Life on Tuesday.

The Crusaders are raising money and awareness for people impacted by rare disease as part of Uplifting Athletes.

It’s the second year in a row that the Crusaders football team has taken part in the fundraising and awareness effort. Christo Kelly and Joe Pesansky have spearheaded the effort for their team.

“To date, we raised close to $14,000 for Uplifting Athletes,” Kelly said. “The effort is still going on and culminating in the Lift for Life today. It’s such a great cause; one in 10 Americans are affected by rare diseases. It’s something [Uplifting Athletes] that every one of us is excited about, a lot of people are passionate about.”

“I think this really speaks to who we are as a team,” Pesansky said. “The community aspect of what it means coming to Holy Cross and being a Holy Cross football player. You know we’re not just football players, we’re not just students, we’re part of a community; we have [an] influence on people. You never realize how big your voice is.”