We Survived! Fight for Air Climb Recap

First - let me apologize for the seriously belated update on the Fight for Air Climb from March 23rd.  It was an amazing day, reaffirmed the support of amazing family, and empowered me to continue the fight! There were more than 500 people that participated, and with 5 of us on team For Little Debbie - we raised just $5 short of $3,000 for our team!

 The current total raised for the whole event is more than $163,000! 

For anyone who is interested in the timed results (it is a "competition" while being a fundraiser), the full results can be found here - Fight For Air Climb Results Philly 2013. 

Considering the incredibly early morning to get into the city by 7am, we had a great turn-out for our little team! Obvious early risers were Terry, Titus, Tweet, Kevin, and myself since we were running.  Tommy and Fred also came down - and those of you that know Jon will be shocked to hear that he was EARLY and at Terry's before 6am! 

The event began with speakers, then the Century Climbers (those of us crazy enough to do the 50 flights twice), then traditional climbers, and First Responders. Titus and Kevin rocked the first set of stairs in less than 10 minutes, while it took me a little closer to 13.  The second flight Kevin and Titus tried to stay with me, but still finished about 2 minutes ahead.  Terry and Tweet did amazing on their trip up the 50 flights of stairs and did the whole thing together! They finished 4th and 8th in their age groups respectively - HECK YES! 

 I will have more pictures as I get dad's, but here are some of my favorites courtesy of my phone. I think the shot down to the Art Museum is my favorite! 

Thank you again for all of your emotional, financial, and continued support! Get ready for the final push as we great ready for Relay for Life on June 1st!

Fight for Air - Introduction & Information

Today I have a super duper important meeting to attend in Philadelphia after work.  That meeting is for the Team Captains for the Fight for Air Climb Philadelphia 2013.  I am nervous about meeting other team captains, since our team is just Kevin and I - but I know we have as much heart as any 10 person team! I've included some information below to clue you in about the Climb, and have a post in the works for our basic training program and how we're getting our butts in shape for this adventure!

---

Kevin and I are excited to have signed up for the American Lung Associate Fight for Air Climb in Philadelphia.  The climb is on March 23rd, which thankfully gives us plenty of time to train and fund-raise!

Who: Team Little Debbie, which is currently made up of just Kevin & I (and anyone else who would like to join).  

Plus or minus 1000 other participants.

What: Philadelphia 2013 Fight for Air Climb -

Century Climb (This means we are doing the full climb TWICE) 

A total of 100 flights/2176 Steps

When: March 23, 2013 at 8:30AM until we finish or fall over

Where: Three Logan Square, Philadelphia
AKA -------> That building

 

 Why: Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women, responsible for more deaths than breast, ovarian, cervical and prostate cancers combined!  Each year, about 160,000 people die from lung cancer in the U.S., accounting for more than one in four cancer deaths. Also for those suffering from asthma, emphysema, and COPD.



How: We are now officially registered, and are responsible for raising $100 each.  Our goal is to raise $500 each, which seems like a large amount of money, until you consider that is less than $7/day from now until March 23rd.

You had to have known that this part was coming, so please forgive me for asking.  For those of you that knew my Mom, I hope you will consider making a small donation in her memory.  Won't you help us make an impact in Debbie's name and help motivate Kevin and I?  I will not recount all of the wonderful things that the American Lung Association does, but please visit their website if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to learn more about this organization.   
 <hr>
 In case you missed the 42 links included in the post - our team page can be found on the For Little Debbie blog or here - http://action.lung.org/goto/forlittledebbie

Fight For Air - Donations (aka HOLY CANNOLI)

At 11:00 yesterday morning, I posted a reminder on Facebook about donations for the Fight for Air Climb that is March's activity.  I had hoped to guilt a few people into making donations, because it is no secret that Kevin and I cannot reach our $1,000 goal alone.  I know people get busy, they forget, hell it was just Christmas and who has spare cash during December (not this girl).  Really, it was just a reminder - maybe instead of going to Starbucks, someone would donate their $5 to the fight for a cure for lung cancer.

 

I expected to receive one or two donations, and was really hoping to see some $5 and $10 donations, since all I was really asking for was $1.  Imagine my surprise when my phone started vibrating every 5 minutes, donations big and small just rolling it. 15 people have donated to our cause in the last 24 hours.  Guys, we are $30 short of being halfway less than 24 hours from when I posted.  Our friends and family have knocked it out of the park.  Each and every time I get a donation email, I cry a little bit.  Good tears, happy tears, "oh my gosh we are so loved" tears.  
 

I have big plans for 2013, and you are all my drive, my motivation, and my support.  I can not thank you enough for continuing your emotional support with financial giving. I hadn't thought about it in the beginning, but I want to somehow take each one of you on this climb with me in March.  I think t shirts/tank tops with the names of those that donated might be the easiest and cheapest option, but let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions, I am all ears!  (HEY PAM - THIS MEANS YOU).

From the bottom of my heart, with tears in my eyes, thank you! Thank you to those of you that knew my mom her whole life. Thank you to the people that met my mom just once, but support Kevin and I. Thank you to the people that helped raise me, love my crazy Moyer/Gehman/Bookheimer family.