We take for granted the feeling of filling our lungs with air as we inhale and take a deep breath, and then the stress release of slowly exhaling. We tend to forget that each day many people struggle to take a breath on their own. The American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb strives to spread awareness and raise money for this issue. Their mission states:
“We climb for those who are ‘Fighting For Air’, we climb for our friends and loved ones who suffer from lung cancer, the leading cancer killer, we climb for those whose asthma makes even the simple act of breathing difficult, we climb for those that can’t breathe on their own.”
The Fight For Air Climb is one of the American Lung Association’s most well known fundraising events. These events are held in over 65 cities across the United States. People of all ages come together to challenge themselves to climb the stairs of various skyscrapers, stadiums, or arenas across the country. Many tackle these steps individually or with a team to meet their personal fitness goals and to participate in the effort to defeat lung disease.
The Fight For Air Climb takes place in Fairfield University’s backyard each year at Trump Parc, located in Stamford, CT. This year the event was held on Saturday, November 22, 2014. People lined up early in the morning to begin the climb. The positive energy amongst participants filled the air as people awaited their designated time slot to race up the stairs of Trump Parc. Each participant bolts up the stairs at their own pace. Trump Parc consists of 33 flights of stairs, consisting of 571 steps total. As participants make their way to the top, one experiences an indescribable feeling as it noticeably gets harder to breathe. In a sense, this feeling resembles the feeling like those who suffer from lung disease, or other lung impairments.
Participants describe this as a remarkable experience that is unlike any other. Although this fundraiser is a challenge, you not only raise money and awareness for a great cause, but also accomplish something you never thought you could. Last year alone, Fight For Air Climbs around the United States raised over $7 million, which will benefit research to defeat lung disease and discover a cure.