Photos by Courtney Pedroza
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation exceeded their expected donations during Saturday’s 33rd annual StairClimb and Firefighter Challenge, with the money to go toward the search for a cure to cystic fibrosis.
The event took place at the Arizona Center where sponsored individuals climbed 35 floors and firefighters participated in obstacle courses, competing with each other to see who was the fastest and fittest.
Around 400 people came to the event, and the foundation raised more than $60,000, said Nicole Newhouse, executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
According to foundation development manager Lori Nelson, 90 cents of every dollar goes toward cystic fibrosis research and it goes to any number of research centers.
“That’s how we raise our money,” Nelson said. “We don’t get any funding from the government. Everything we raise is through events, which will hopefully help find a cure.”
ASU alumna Brintha Gardner participated for the first time in the StairClimb to support a friend. Gardner usually partakes in a walk every year to support the cause.
“I think this is a great event,” Gardner said. “It’s very fast-pace and family-oriented. Everyone is supporting each other as you are climbing up the stairs. They are high-fiving you and cheering you on.”
The event had a photo booth with the winners of the Arizona America Pageant and a performance from ASU cheerleaders.
“It has been really fun,” Ms. Arizona Tina Ovist said. “I love it because I’m a volunteer firefighter.”
Ovist said she came to the event in 2007, but this year was better and had more people, including activities and vendors.
Fire districts across the Valley were at the firefighter challenge.
The obstacles the firefighters competed in were based on firefighting tasks commonly performed on the job, Phoenix Battalion Chief Shelly Jamison said.
The challenges involved a sledge hammer, a 180-pound dummy and a fire hose to replicate knocking down doors, saving a victim, hopping fences and carrying hoses, Jamison said.
“We always want to promote what we do and show how challenging the job is,” she said. “We also get to help raise money.”
Jamison’s favorite part from the event was watching the female firefighters compete and see all the firefighters get excited for the challenges.
Barbara Crothers, an independent consultant for Paparazzi Jewelry, was one of the vendors at the event. A portion of the proceeds Crothers earned went toward the foundation.
Crothers wanted to volunteer as a vendor because her first husband, who has passed away, had cystic fibrosis.
“This is our first year doing this,” Crothers said. “I knew someone was doing something somewhere and this is an excellent way to be involved.”
Newhouse said this year turned out better than expected with little changes she would make in upcoming years.
“Next year I hope to get the police department and other first responders in on the competition,” Newhouse said.
Contact the reporter at teresa.joseph@asu.edu
