Suffering stairclimbers storm Seattle

As we drove into downtown Seattle, the Columbia Tower rose into the sky like the Tower of Babel, and the thought occurred to me, "What on earth was I

thinking?"

Climbing 1,311 steps, 69 stories and 788 feet in the air with approximately 50 pounds of gear, breathing through a mask: I'm sure I've had better ideas.

The hordes of firefighters, from hundreds of departments and four countries, were motivational in that we wouldn't be alone in our suffering. But we still had to face our flights by ourselves.

Originally we wanted to do this event simply because "it was there" and we thought it would be a great way to get in shape and have some fun. But something happened along the way. We got to know Holly Davis and her family, and saw first hand what the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society does for people with these insidious diseases. 

Propelled into fundraising action by necessity, this entire adventure has become about so much more than bragging rights. I think for most of us, it became personal.

Firefighter/paramedic student Cody Meredith said, "The stairclimb was brutal, but it was nothing compared to what leukemia and lymphoma patients go through on a weekly basis with their treatments. The pictures of leukemia survivors and the stairclimb volunteers cheering us on every few floors, as well as the thought of our local leukemia and lymphoma patients, kept me going - just barely! I had a great time and look forward to future years

participating."

Anaerobically climbing the stairs, starving for oxygen, I also began to read the posters strategically placed every few floors. They all had someone's picture, but some said "in honor of" while others said "in memory of."

I thought of Holly Davis, and what she and her parents have endured. I thought "what if my daughter had leukemia." Then I thought, "just keep climbing" as my stair-induced suffering would end in just a few more

floors.

That night I knew I would be done and would

eventually have a shower, dinner and a beer. For all the people who currently suffer from leukemia or lymphoma, no shower can cleanse them of their disease. No meal can end their suffering. However, the dedication of the medical community, people like the 1,500 firefighters who raise funds through sweat, and most importantly the folks at the LLS have done so much to save both the quantity and quality of life of people fighting these

cancers.

After we passed the finish line at the top of the tower, volunteers pulled our gear off and escorted us to a seat where we regained our breath. It wasn't the view or the accomplishment that was the sweetest. A three-year-old energetic little girl, with no hair, excited to see me, was my hypoxic heaven.

Holly's family had made a special trip to Seattle for the day just to encourage us as we prepared to climb. But since Holly was in remission from leukemia, she and her family were given a VIP pass to the top where they could watch the firefighters stumble across the finish

line.

It was then that I realized why on earth I did this.

The team of firefighters joined together for the fun and the challenge of the climb because that's what we do. We climbed because we can. We climbed for those who can't. We owe a great deal of thanks to all of you who donated and supported us. Special thanks to Ray's Food Place, Sisters Movie House, South Valley Bank, Three Creeks Brewing Co. and the musicians who played there, and Sisters-Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch Fire Departments.

As we look forward to next year's climb, I hope you will join us in the challenge of getting in better shape and supporting a great cause. The Pole Pedal Paddle, which supports the MBSEF and the Heaven Can Wait run, which supports breast cancer research, are two of many opportunities to find the win-win situation. Anyway, "saving a life" is better motivation and a better answer to "what on earth was I thinking."

As of this writing, the Sisters/Black Butte firefighter stairclimb team has raised close to $3,000 dollars and can't wait to go back to Seattle next year and suffer some more!