JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of people climbed more than 700 steps Saturday morning at the 16th annual Fight for Air Climb event in downtown Jacksonville to support people battling lung disease.
Families, beginners, competitive climbers, and first responders gathered at the Bank of America Tower to support the more than 2.7 million people in Florida who currently live with lung disease.
Adana Alleyne completed the climb for the first time this year.
“I actually have a really close friend that had lung cancer last year while I was in military training. So, this is just my way of supporting her,” Alleyne said.
Participants climbed 37 floors – equivalent to 734 steps – at the event hosted by the American Lung Association of Florida.
Anthony Bennett, who’s been a firefighter for eight years, also completed the climb – but with an added level of difficulty.
“The gear itself is about 35 pounds. I managed to find an old breathing apparatus, which will add probably a total of 70 pounds,” Bennett said.
According to the event’s website, they raised more than $130,000. The money will go toward the American Lung Association’s efforts to help people battling lung disease.