Community Corner

250 Climbers Ready to 'Fight for Air' at Stamford's Trump Parc

On Saturday, the 33 stories of stairs at Stamford's Trump Parc are going to see a lot of foot traffic. 

This weekend marks the 5th anniversary of the American Lung Association's (ALA) Fight for Air Climb, a fundraising initiative in which more than 250 climbers—60 of them firefighters raise money to participate in a climb of the building's 588 stairs. 

"The American Lung Association is proud to be celebrating its fifth anniversary at Trump Parc Stamford," said Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the ALA Northeast. “Like each year before, we are looking forward to an exciting and successful event that will not only help us raise awareness about lung disease, but help us raise the funds we need to continue the research, education and advocacy work we are doing every day to help, support and offer hope to those who struggle with lung disease."

Seyler credited the climbers and those volunteering during the day with keeping the state healthy and making the continued efforts of the ALA possible. 

"Without the commitment and hard work of our climbers and volunteers, we simply wouldn’t be able to do nearly as much as we are doing to improve lung health and prevent lung disease here in Connecticut and across the Northeast," he said. 

In addition to just Stamford's firefighters, local businesses and city icons, like the Stamford Media Center, are also lacing up their running (or climbing) shoes for Fight for Air. 

“Nearly all of us know someone affected by asthma, COPD, lung cancer or other lung diseases,” said Dave Shaffer, Production Manager for The Jerry Springer Show and The Steve Wilkos Show, both filmed at the SMC. “My colleagues and I are always looking for ways to give back to our community, and this event will allow us to raise money for a worthy cause.” 

The SMC will be matching the funds raised by its employees. This year, the ALA is hoping to raise $68,000. As of Thursday afternoon, they were at roughly 50-percent of that goal, listing on the Fight for Air Climb website that they'd raised $30,593.71. So if you're not doing anything on Saturday, go sign up!

"All proceeds from the Stamford Fight for Air Climb will directly fund lung disease research, advocacy and education; including smoking cessation programs, COPD/asthma management, and advocacy for stronger clean air standards," the ALA said in a release. 

As of about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, the top fundraising team so far was the Stamford Fire Department, who had brought in $2,498.21. The Bedford Fire Department was hot on their heels with $2,355. In the individual fundraising category, Sean Baranowski was listed in first place with $1,435. The next highest individual fundraiser was a two-way tie between Gail Carmody and Shawn Carmody at $765 each. 

Registration opens at 8 a.m. at SBC Restaurant & Brewery, just around the corner from Trump Parc. The first climber takes off promptly at 9 a.m., with the Firefighter Challenge kicking off at 11:30 a.m. Teams of firefighters from all over Connecticut and parts of New York, will take to the stairs in hopes of bringing home the coveted trophy—a trophy the team from Stamford Fire Department has walked away with each year. Climbers, volunteers, and friends and family members are invited back to SBC for the afterparty and awards ceremony.


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