On Sunday, March 3, hundreds of British Columbians will strap on their sneakers and gym gear to participate in the BC Lung Association’s 12th annual fundraiser, Climb the Wall: The Stairclimb for Clean Air.
The event challenges British Columbians to go one-on-one with one of B.C.’s tallest staircases –the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel – in support of lung health and clean air.
Participating in the 739-step climb for the first time will be Surrey’s Jennifer MacDonald, who lost her mother Annie Jean “A.J.” Baker to lung cancer.
“My friend Judy, whose mom was also diagnosed with lung cancer not long before mine, participated last year with her husband,” said MacDonald. “This year we decided to tackle the climb together as a team.
“Neither of us is worried about how long it takes to get to the top, as long as we make it. We just want to be able to do something to help raise awareness and fight lung disease. Personally, I’m planning to make Climb a yearly tradition.”
To participate, climbers each pay a $25 registration fee and must commit to fundraising a minimum of $125. In return, each receives an event T-shirt, a post-climb brunch, compliments of the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, and the chance to win prizes including a trip for two to Barcelona, Spain.
“Some participants climb for themselves, others to honour a friend or family member affected by lung disease,” says BC Lung Association event organizer Kate Jarvis. “And while each participant’s motivation is different their reward is the same: Making a difference in the lives of the one in five British Columbians affected by lung disease.”
Up for the Stairclimb challenge? To register, visit www.stairclimb.ca or call the BC Lung Association at 604-731-LUNG (5864).
All proceeds fund vital lung health research, education and advocacy.
