69 Flights | 1,356 Steps | 788 Ft. Vertical Elevation

— by Lin McNulty, Managing Editor —

Fire department members from Orcas and Lopez will be participating in the 28th annual LLS Firefighter Stairclimb on Sunday, March 10 in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Before they ascend the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle, they have been raising funds throughout the season in the name of funding and finding a cure.

What is the LLS Firefighter Stairclimb?

The LLS Firefighter Stairclimb is the world’s largest on-air stair climb competition, and annual fundraiser held at the tallest building in town, the Columbia Center. All 2,000 participants are career or volunteer firefighters who will climb up the second tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi in full turnout gear, weighing over 50 pounds, while donning breathing apparatus. Through the 69 flights of stairs, 1,356 steps, and 788 ft. of vertical elevation gain, this is an extreme test of physical endurance.

All proceeds raised directly benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and since its inception in 1991, this event has raised over $17 million thus far.

They climb because beating cancer is in their blood. Click to contribute.