Fight For Air Climb Takes Fight Against Lung Disease to New Heights

Event's goal is to raise $125,000 for lung disease research, advocacy and education

CINCINNATI OH (02/15/2011)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association's 2011 Fight For Air Climb will take place on Sunday, February 20th, 2011 at Cincinnati's Carew Tower.

The event, which is expected to attract 600 people, is sponsored by Kendle International, Kroger, Genentech, Tri-Health, Molina Healthcare, Pfizer Inc., Life Enriching Communities, Sam's Club, The Carew Tower, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, The Gym at the Carew Tower, FirstWatch, the Running Spot, Urban Active, Tower Place Mall, Mynt Martini, Vitamin Water, Grean BEAN Delivery, Veteran's Security, Rewind 94.9, Fox 19, Cincy Magazine and the Rick Stiene Memorial Golf Outing.

The Fight For Air Climb is a stair climb challenge held to increase awareness and raise money for the American Lung Association's fight against lung disease. Programs such as Open Airways for Schools, Freedom From Smoking and local Better Breather's Clubs are all community based programs funded through monies raised during the climb. Lung diseases such as asthma and COPD cannot yet be cured, but they can be managed. Making sure people know what's needed to take control of these lung diseases is one of the American Lung Association's top priorities.

* 35 Million Americans are living with chronic lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer and COPD.

* Every day 52 Ohioans die from tobacco related disease and 57 Ohio kids become daily smokers.

* More than 22 Million Americans currently have asthma.

* Asthma accounts for an estimated 14.5 million lost workdays for adults and 14 million lost school days for children annually.

* The economic cost of asthma is staggering - over $19.7 billion dollars is spent annually.

WHO:

American Lung Association in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky
WHAT:

Participants take on the stairs at the Carew Tower to Raise funds to help the American Lung Association Fight For Air.

There is a vertical challenge for the most physically fit; a competitive climb; an "at your own pace" climb; and a Firefighters Challenge.
WHEN: Sunday February 20, 2011 at 09:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Carew Tower
441 Vine St
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
NOTES:

Vertical Mile begins at 6:30 AM

Competitive Climb begins at 10:30 AM. Break at 11AM for Vertical Mile Awards and start of Firefighter Challenge.

At Your Own Pace Climb begins at 12PM.

Last climber in at 2PM.

For interviews or photo opps, contact: Liza Aromas-Janosik: 513-985-3990 ljanosik@ohiolung.org