Suburban women to take action for lost loved ones on Valentine's Day
Melissa Bakel of Lacon lost her mother in just three short months after she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Natalie Laudadio of Chicago lost both of her parents to lung disease; her mother died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema; and her father died of lung cancer.
Guadalupe Madrid's son, both from Plainfield, lost his grandfather after a double lung transplant.
Lung disease, lung cancer specifically, the number one cancer killer in the country.
That's why these women and thousands of others from Chicago and the suburban area are participating in the American Lung Association in Chicago's 2016 "Fight for Air Climb" at Oakbrook Terrace Tower on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day.
The event raises funds for lifesaving research to help put an end to lung disease.
Hundreds of Illinoisans from across the state and the Midwest will participate in the event; where individuals, friends and families of all fitness levels will stair climb the suburbs' tallest building. Standing at 31 floors, including 680 steps, participants can climb the tower once, twice or three times in the Extreme or Ultimate Challenges.
Registration is open online at FightForAirClimb.org or by calling (312) 781-1100.
Climbers can register for $25 until Feb. 9, and $45 after. Participating in the Fight for Air Climb empowers individuals to invest in their own personal health and fitness. They're not just climbing up stairs, they're fighting for an end to lung disease. Through fundraising, climbers help improve the lives of patients across the country and locally in Illinois. Almost ninety cents of every dollar raised goes directly to education, research and advocacy.
The mission for the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy.
For information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call (800) LUNG-USA, (800) 586-4872, or visit www.Lung.org.