Nashville Sounds' Employee To Climb Fifth Third Center in American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb

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NASHVILLE, TN (01/07/2016)(readMedia)-- Buddy Yelton, of Spring Hill, Tenn., enjoys a busy, active lifestyle at home as a dedicated husband and father, and at work in the high-energy role of Community Relations Manager for the Nashville Sounds Baseball Team. An average day for Buddy may involve anything from enjoying down-time with his family, working in the yard, heading to the gym, and even relaxing on the couch with a good movie.

Despite all of this, Buddy is committed to staying involved in the 'fight for clean air' by returning this year to climb with volunteers, staff and supporters at the American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb event taking place February 6th, 2016 at the Fifth Third Center in Downtown Nashville.

Buddy understands lung disease all too well. His parents, both long time smokers, each have a form of COPD. Buddy's mother comes from a family of coal miners. Buddy himself also worked in a carbon mill.

"Growing up in a house and family full of smokers I have been able to see first-hand the effects it has had on people in my life. And I have seen the damage that can be done to someone's health from a non-smoking side of things as well." he said.

Buddy said that his plans to gear up for the climb in the weeks ahead with stringent workouts of squats, lunges and cardio come from experience and admitted the first time he did the climb, he found it a challenge. Each year, determined climbers take on 29 flights or 638 steps straight up - to help raise money in support of the American Lung Association's mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

"It's not your normal jog around the block," said Buddy, who participated last year as both a climber, and as assistant to the Sounds' Mascot Ozzie, who entertained volunteers and climbers as they prepared for the event.

"I signed up to prove to myself I could do it," said Buddy, "but as I was climbing and my lungs were burning, and I started to think, `what in the world was I thinking?' Then it started to kick in. I started thinking about my Dad and others I've met who can't participate in the climb. And because of them, I wouldn't let myself stop. Even if it was just a slow walk, I had to keep going until I finished."

To register and learn more about the Fight for Air Climb please visit the event website at www.climbnashville.org; or contact Drew Himsworth at 615-510-3552 or drew.himsworth@lung.org.