Firefighters fundraise for leukemia, lymphoma

The Sisters Country Firefighters Team made up of 10 firefighters from Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire districts participated in the 26th Annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle last weekend.

Firefighters must climb 69 floors - or 1,356 steps - in full firefighter gear including: boots, turnouts (fire-resistive clothing), helmet and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus - weighing approximately 50 pounds). The event takes place in the Columbia Tower in Seattle and drew 1,795 participants this year. The top time for all participants was 10 minutes 58 seconds. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Firefighter Dave Keller finished in 15 minutes and placed 57th overall.

Each team participating held fundraisers prior to the event, and 100 percent of the money donated goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for blood cancer research. The Sisters Country Team raised a combined total of $10,285. Donations will be accepted through the end of March. See link accompanying online version of this story at www.nuggetnews.com.

The Sisters Country Team thanked Sisters Saloon, Sisters Meat and Smokehouse, Mainline Station and Ray's Food Place for allowing them to hold fundraisers in the weeks prior to the event at their businesses.