SPOKANE, Wash — Spokane area firefighters decided to create their own local stair climbing event after coronavirus concerns canceled their annual tradition in Seattle.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society raises money each year for fire departments around the state. Firefighters were able to turn their normal training grounds at the downtown Bank of America into an opportunity to climb for donations that were already raised.
“This is now our outward expression of actually working hard, doing the steps, putting in the work, climbing the stairs,” said Joanna Balin who organized the event and works for the Spokane Fire Department. “This is something that’s really important for us as firefighters to do.”
Nearly 10 thousand first responders have been diagnosed with cancer since the turn of the century. The line of work they’re in exposes them to toxic chemicals and smoke but the goal is to keep improving safety on the job and that starts with research and donations.
“We’re all doing this for one singular cause which is trying to find a cure for blood cancer,” explained Spokane County Fire District 9 member Riley Anderson.
To simulate what they missed out on in Seattle, firefighters climbed a 20 story building four times in a row with their full gear on.