The American Lung Association in Greater Chicago and its site sponsor Waterton raised a record $515,000 in the 2016 Fight for Air Climb held March 6 at Presidential Towers, to support the association’s research, education and advocacy efforts.
The event is Chicago’s largest stair climb with 2,340 steps across four towers. This year approximately 2,000 individuals participated. Among the climbers were lung disease survivors, those with a personal connection to the cause and representatives from both Waterton and the American Lung Association.
Fifty Waterton associates participated in the event as climbers and volunteers, with additional funds contributed by the company. Other participants included “Madam Secretary” star Tim Daly, elite stair climbers from around the world, and area police and firefighters who scaled the towers wearing 70 pounds of gear as part of the “Firefighter Challenge.”
This year’s climb took place one year after Presidential Towers completed its transition to a 100-percent smoke-free community. Waterton’s decision to add a no-smoking clause to all new leases at Presidential Towers, as well as the company’s ongoing support of the Fight for Air Climb, earned it an Impact Award from the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago in 2014.
