Fighting lung disease, one step at a time

Firefighters and hundreds of others battled lung disease one step at a time Sunday during the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb at the Oakbrook Terrace Tower.

More than 500 people climbed 31 floors of stairs — 682 steps in all — to raise more than $170,000 that will support about 1.5 million Illinois residents living with lung disease.

“Special events like this fund our research and advocacy initiatives, as well as programs and services that directly support patients and caregivers,” said Meghan Miller, the association’s senior vice president of development.

The event began with ultimate climbers taking part in the Power Hour, ascending the stairs then catching their breath and rehydrating during a quick elevator ride back to the ground floor, before climbing again over a 60-minute period.

Tom McGee of Oak Park completed seven power laps. He said he quit smoking in 2001 and turned to stair climbing, taking part in his first Fight For Air Climb in 2006.

The remaining climb featured teams of climbers, including groups of firefighters in full gear. The firefighters came from towns including Oakbrook Terrace, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn and Bartlett.

Firefighters have a personal stake in fighting lung disease.

“There are a lot of guys, especially those with a lot (service time), that end up getting chronic lung conditions like COPD and emphysema from the job,” said Carol Stream resident Stefan Filipovic, an Oswego firefighter and four-time climber.

First-time climber and Oakbrook Terrace firefighter Griffin Knable, whose family members have battled lung cancer, said he prepared by scaling a 100-foot bluff at Swallow Cliff Woods near Palos Heights.

The event drew participants from beyond the Chicago area, such as Milwaukee resident Josh Jackett, who said the Oakbrook Terrace stairwell is one of his favorites.

“I’m big into trying to get the sport popular,” said Jackett, who runs a stair-climbing social media account and said there is a stair-climbing culture.

Brothers Jonathan and Lucas Nasti of Addison were climbing in honor of their grandfather, who battled lung disease.

Dating back to the 1980s, the Oakbrook Terrace event is the oldest of 30 Fight for Air Climbs held annually across the country. The next is set to take place at Chicago’s Prudential Towers April 12. For more information, visit ClimbChicago.org.