Firefighters Climb as Home Town Heroes at American Lung Association

187 firefighters are currently registered to engage in some friendly competition at the fifth annual American Lung Association in WI (ALA.W) Fight for Air Climb. This year’s teams and/or members are from Adell, Beaver Dam, Belgium, Bellevue, Blanchardville, Bloomfield/Genoa City, Burlington (City and Town of), Cambridge, Cedar Grove, Deerfield, Eagle, Edgerton, Fitchburg, Grafton, Greenfield, Johnson Creek, Kronenwetter, Lauderdale/LaGrange, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Middleton, Milwaukee, Palmyra, Raymond, Richfield, Rochester, Rockton, IL, Town of Salem, Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Somers, Stone Bank, Sussex, Tichigan, Waukesha, Waukegan, IL, Wausau, West Allis and West Bend.

Firefighters from West Allis will be representing their home department at this year’s Climb.

The firefighters will be racing up 94 flights of stairs loaded down with up to 70 extra pounds of gear. This year they will be competing against each other in three categories: fastest team score, fastest individual score, and highest fundraising team.

Sue Swan, Executive Director of the ALA.W said, “Firefighters experience every day what it means to fight to breathe. They are such an important part of this event, and of our mission.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is the event’s Presenting Sponsor.

“Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to present the Firefighter Challenge,” said Dr. Michael Jaeger, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield managing medical director and a member of the American Lung Association in Wisconsin’s board. “A true highlight of the day, the firefighters take on the stairs in full uniform to remind us of how hard some people struggle for breath, and to raise money to defeat lung disease.”

The Fight for Air Climb takes place on Saturday, March 23, 7am until all climbers finish, at the US Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee. Registrations are still being taken at www.fightforairclimb.org. Registration fee is $25; a $100 fundraising minimum is required participate, and climbers must be age 13 or over.

If you would like to support a hometown team, click here:

West Allis Fire Department Team 1
http://ala.convio.net/site/TR/Climb/ALAUM_Upper_Midwest?team_id=55642&pg=team&fr_id=5990
West Allis Fire Department Team 2
http://ala.convio.net/site/TR/Climb/ALAUM_Upper_Midwest?team_id=61072&pg=team&fr_id=5990

“Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is committed to improving health throughout Wisconsin” said Dr. Michael Jaeger, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield managing medical director and a member of the American Lung Association in Wisconsin’s board. “We’ve been proud to not only be a sponsor of the Fight for Air Climb since its inception, but to also field a corporate team in each event. Each year the event keeps getting bigger and bigger and we can’t wait to take on the stairs on March 23.”