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Skyline Plunge! Chicago

Lori Duvall to rappel 27 stories, honor Sean

"It's awesome to be able to rappel down a skyscraper in the middle of Chicago," Lori Duvall said. "Most people think I'm crazy for doing this, but I'm not worried about it!"

On September 12, Lori Duvall will rappel 27 stories down theWit Hotel as part of Skyline Plunge! Chicago, a fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The event will raise more than $110,000 to support lung health throughout Chicagoland, a cause that Lori takes seriously.

Lori is an occupational therapist who works with children in school to improve their motor skills, social skills and independence. Being in grade schools all day, she sees the impact asthma has on a child's life.

She is dedicating her rappel to Sean, a child with whom she had worked. Though Lori did not work with Sean because of his asthma, in the five years that they worked together, the severity of his symptoms frequently interfered with their appointments and their work.

"Sometimes our appointments would be cancelled because he was in the hospital for a week," Lori said. "I know that has to be scary for the kids and the families. He's a really strong kid and he pushes through and takes it all in stride, but it can't be fun."

Their experience is not a unique one. The asthma hospitalization rate in Chicago is nearly double the national average, and asthma is a leading cause of school absences due to a chronic disease.

Because of his asthma, Sean was not allowed to play outside on days that were under 45 degrees, which meant many of his school days were spent inside while his classmates were at recess. Being restricted from play time meant that he couldn't burn off his extra energy, and it also interfered with the social skills he and Lori were working to build.

"That was very disappointing to me," Lori said. "I tried to figure out if we could have small groups do activities inside so he wasn't by himself, and I also tried to get him to be in gym with another class while his classmates were at recess."

Although Sean is no longer her client, Lori keeps in touch with him and his family. At Skyline Plunge!, they will be watching from the corner of State and Lake Streets as she rappels 278 feet of theWit Hotel.

"I'm definitely excited about rappelling," Lori said. "But with the cause being lung disease, Sean is the first thing that entered my mind. I'm glad to be furthering the cause so that kids like him can play outside."

Funds raised by Lori and other rappellers will support local research and lung health education. For kids with asthma, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago provides school-based programs to improve their self-management and asthma knowledge. In addition, the association is currently involved in various research projects on pediatric asthma.

To support Lori in her rappel or to offer words of encouragement, visit www.lungchicago.org/loriduvall.

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CowaLUNGa

Steve Friedman to ride 190 miles to support lung health

"I would be awake all night, curled up into a ball to relieve the pressure on my chest," Steve said.

Steve Friedman was diagnosed with severe asthma at the age of 13. It was 1963, before the days of controller medications and before many people had a good understanding of asthma triggers. Surrounded by people who smoked and pets that frequently triggered his asthma, Steve made many trips to the doctor's office.

"At that point, what they gave you was a shot of adrenaline," Steve said. "So I could breathe, but I ended up running in little circles for an hour."

When he was a teenager, Steve was told by his doctor to join the track team to improve his lung function. He ran track and cross country in high school, despite a less than successful seasons. He recalls getting so far behind his competitors in a meet that he got lost, and once he even fell into the Des Plaines River during a meet.

"I was very, very awful at track and cross country," Steve said. "But every time I finished, I was happy."

Now at 60 years old, Steve has his asthma well under control. Through advances in treatments and by avoiding his triggers, Steve has not needed emergency medical attention in more than 30 years.

"Every two years I go to the doctor, and he renews my prescription," Steve said. "But sometimes they expire before I've needed to use them."

Steve still stays active, but he's taken to biking over the years instead of running. Now an avid cyclist, Steve takes on at least one 20-mile ride each month regardless of Chicago's unpredictable weather.

"I do it for me," Steve said. "I do it to celebrate the fact that I am able to do it and that I can breathe."

One of his favorite rides is the annual CowaLUNGa Bike Tour, a 190-mile ride hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. This August 7, 8 and 9, he is taking on the ride for the ninth time. In all, Steve has raised more than $15,000 to support lung health throughout metropolitan Chicago.

"I like that the money is spent locally and that you can see it in your own backyard," Steve said. "And that it funds research and education for kids with asthma so they don't look at themselves as disabled people, but look at themselves as having an issue that they need to be careful with."

To support Steve in his fundraising efforts or to offer words of encouragement, visit his personal page: www.lungchicago.org/stevefriedman.

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Bill Kulterman to ride 190 miles for fitness, lung health

In July 2006, Bill Kulterman was admitted to the hospital for congestive heart failure. He weighed 467 pounds, had high blood pressure and was diabetic. Doctors told him that he would die if he didn't make major life changes.

"I decided that I wasn't ready to die and began to finally take care of myself," Bill said.

Bill bought a stationary recumbent bicycle and started cycling in his basement. When he was ready, he started cycling around the block, then around his neighborhood and then around the North Branch Trail of the Cook County Forest Preserve. In just two years, Bill brought his weight down to 195 pounds.

"My whole life, I was never active, and I was never part of an organized sports team, so I've never pushed myself physically," Bill said. "People ask me if I bike to compete, but I only compete with myself. I'm out there every day trying to do better than I did before. "

Bill has had asthma his entire life, so from a young age, his parents and teachers prohibited him from physical activity.

Adding to his breathing trouble, his parents and other family members smoked. In the past five years, Bill lost his dad, his uncle and a close family friend to lung disease.

"We'd go to a family function and come out smelling like were in a bar," Bill said. "It wasn't until my mom quit smoking that she realized how awful it was."'

Now at age 48, Bill is truly active for the first time in his life. He rides his bike 100 miles each week, he is off the more than 10 medications that were needed to keep him alive, his asthma is under control, he is no longer diabetic and his blood pressure is normal.

In honor of the people he has lost to lung disease and because of his love for cycling, Bill is participating in CowaLUNGa Bike Tour, a cycling event hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Bill and his nephew Keith Volante will ride 190 miles over three days from Gurnee, Ill. to Hubertus, Wis. to raise awareness and funds for lung disease.

This will be the longest ride Bill has ever taken. Last summer, he and Keith rode 100 miles along the Illinois River Trail.

"Riding that 100 miles was hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Bill said. "I was so beat, and I was so tired, and now I can't wait to do it again. That's why I want to do CowaLUNGa - it's another hurdle to climb."

To support Bill in his ride or offer words of encouragement, visit his personal page. To learn more about CowaLUNGa, visit www.cowalunga.com.

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"This is my cause" – John Leslie

From the first time John Leslie rode a bike he knew this pastime would be a life long passion. Even though John competed in several sports ranging from hockey and baseball to sail boat racing, he always made time to ride his bike for miles and miles on end.

"Biking is the one activity that I never get tired of doing," said John.

A few years ago, a member of John's cycling group told him about CowaLUNGa, a three-day cycling adventure hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. An avid century (100 mile) rider, John knew he was up for the challenge.

"My friends and I wanted to try something new," said John. "CowaLUNGa seemed like the perfect event because I could enjoy the scenic route from northern Illinois to Wisconsin with my friends and meet some new people along the way." Although well-prepared for the cycling, John was not expecting to discover a deeper connection with the event and his fellow participants.

When John joined CowaLUNGa in 2003, he heard the stories of dedicated riders who participated each year to take a stand against lung cancer, asthma and chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD), and then it clicked. CowaLUNGa was more than just a fun bike tour, it was an opportunity for John to support close relatives who have encountered lung health diseases.

"During the trip, I helped a fellow rider who had flat tire. After getting to know her, she told me that she was riding for her dad," said John. "It made me think about my own grandfather who had a large part of his lung removed, my father who experienced a stroke most likely due to smoking, my wife's uncle who had lung cancer and finally my two children who were both diagnosed with asthma. All these experiences hit really close to home, and I knew this is my cause."

Through participating in CowaLUNGa, John has inspired his 14-year-old son, Alex, to get involved by volunteering at rest stops. This year's event will mark Alex's third time helping CowaLUNGa riders. John's brother, Edward, will also ride for the third time this year to support his nieces and nephews who have asthma.

"Participating in CowLUNGa with my cycling group, Speedracer, has been a great experience for me," noted John. "Having my brother and son involved makes it all the more worthwhile."

To support John on his ride or offer words of encouragement, visit his personal page.

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Jennifer Moore to cycle 190 miles in memory of mom

Jennifer Moore lost her mom, Mary Anderson, to lung cancer in April 2009. Like many people who have lung disease, Mary hid her diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from her family, was hesitant to seek treatment, and even continued smoking cigarettes as she was dying from lung disease.

Jennifer, a Bartlett resident, wants to ensure that more people who have lung cancer and COPD are able to be diagnosed and seek help, and she wants to prevent young people from starting to smoke.

To raise awareness, she is riding 190 miles as part of CowaLUNGa Bike Tour, an event hosted by and benefiting Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Along with more than 200 other riders, Jennifer will ride from Gurnee, Ill. to Hubertus, Wisc. August 7, 8 and 9.

"This ride is in memory of my mom," Jennifer said. "I really wanted to do something in memory of her and to raise money for lung disease."

Mary started smoking in the 1940s, when the hazards of cigarettes were not readily known. By the time she developed symptoms of COPD and lung cancer at the age of 75, the stigma around the diseases kept her from seeking treatment.

Because the onsets of COPD or lung cancer may be gradual, symptoms can be hard to notice until they majorly affect a person. Smoking for 60 years put Mary at high risk, and she developed a persistent phlegmy cough and difficulty breathing, but she did not seek treatment or tell her family about her declining health.

"There is absolutely a stigma associated with COPD," Jennifer said. "There was absolutely no discussion of it; she didn't event tell us about it."

Jennifer and her sister, Marlene, knew that something was wrong. It wasn't until Mary was hospitalized for another health problem that she told her daughters that she was diagnosed with COPD. A short time later, she was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer.

Even with the support of her family, Mary did not quit smoking. Like many people who have late stages of lung disease, she was unable to engage in her typical activities because she became short of breath and got too tired.

"Smoking was like a crutch to her," Jennifer said. "She figured she was dying already, and smoking was the one thing left that she could enjoy doing. Right up until the very end, she refused to be on oxygen; she figured the damage was already done."

In April, just four short months after her family knew that she had lung cancer, Mary passed away.

"It was very difficult and very stressful to watch the whole process," Jennifer said. "I'm thankful that my sister is a nurse and was able to translate what the doctors were saying and help our family understand what was going on."

It also helps Jennifer to share her experience with others. As part of CowaLUNGa, she goes on practice rides with other participants, many who have been affected by lung disease. Spending time with other people who have faced situations like hers helps Jennifer heal.

"People always ask how I got involved with the ride, and everyone shares their story, so I talk about my mom a lot," Jennifer said. "A couple of people I've met have lost a spouse or a parent to lung cancer. It's nice to still be able to focus on the positive."

To support Jennifer on her ride or to offer words of encouragement, visit her personal fundraising page: www.lungchicago.org/jennifermoore.

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United for Lung Health Federal Advocacy Days

The New Face of Lung Cancer: Ann Baker's Story

Ann Baker, a Cary resident, is a full-time corporate executive, wife and mother of three. Recently, she added the title of lung health advocate to her name.

In August 2008, Ann was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. As a non-smoker, this diagnosis seemingly came out of nowhere.

"I once believed that lung cancer was only a problem for smokers and those continuously exposed to secondhand smoke. Fighting this battle seemed surreal because I never smoked a cigarette a day in my life. So how could this happen to me?" said Ann.

Shortly after her diagnosis, Ann set out on a personal journey to educate herself and others on lung cancer, the leading cancer killer among men and women in the U.S. In fact, this disease kills more people than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers combined. Given its deadly prevalence, Ann was surprised to find that, lung cancer receives less research funding than any of the other major cancers. People with lung cancer, she found, are often blamed for their sickness even though they may have acquired the disease due to genetics or exposure to radon, asbestos or other environmental factors.

"I wanted to feel empowered through promoting research. So much of lung cancer is still a mystery, in part, because of the negative stigma it carries," said Ann. "More and more, women in their forties who do not smoke are diagnosed too late. My mission is to increase awareness and advocate for better advancements in early screening and new therapies."

Ann recently traveled to Washington D.C. with other advocates from Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and shared her personal story with key congressional staff and legislators including Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill). Ann encouraged lawmakers to support lung-friendly initiatives such as the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act, which aims to create multi-agency government support and reduce lung cancer's mortality rate by fifty percent by 2016. Ann's Congresswoman, Melissa Bean (D-Ill), recently signed on as a co-sponsor of this bill.

"Supporting bills like the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act is my passion because I know firsthand the importance of raising money to back education and treatment therapies," Ann said. "I currently take oral-chemotherapy pills. Because of this non-invasive treatment, my life has been extended! It's hard to believe that four years ago this drug was not available to lung cancer patients."

As Ann continues to spread the message that lung cancer is a major health concern by educating lawmakers and fundraising for research efforts, she draws inspiration from her family: "My kids have half my genetic make-up. So this is about their future as well." She adds, "I don't want my fight with lung cancer to be theirs too."

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Gloria Linnertz educates legislators about radon

Gloria Linnertz of Waterloo, Ill., is a passionate advocate for radon awareness. On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., she met with local and national legislators to educate them about radon.

"Most of the legislators have no idea what radon is or what it can do," Gloria said. "They're the same way I was. I just had no idea."

Radon is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas that is released from the decay of uranium, a naturally-occurring rock in our soil. As radon is released, it seeps through cracks in a home's foundation and into our air. Radon exposure leads to an estimated 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year.

Gloria traveled to D.C. as part of a group of advocates from Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago in support of lung-friendly legislation. Gloria focused on gaining support and co-sponsors for the Indoor Radon Exposure Abatement and Detection Act, which will soon be introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

The proposed legislation requires EPA to set a national standard for unsafe radon levels, allows EPA to set standards for radon testing and abatement working trainings, provides grants to states that have radon education and awareness programs, and creates a rebate program to reduce the cost of installing radon-control systems in new homes.

For Gloria, the cause is personal. She lost her husband, Joe, to lung cancer in 2006. When they asked Joe's oncologist what could have caused cancer, he told them smoking and radon gas were the leading causes. Joe hadn't smoked for 27 years. He died six weeks later.

"Most people who have lung cancer are not diagnosed until they are at a very late stage," Gloria said. "This legislation is life-saving. It's easy to test for radon and it's not difficult to fix."

According to EPA regulations, any home with radon levels higher than 4 picocuries per liter should be mitigated. World Health Organization has an even stricter standard of 2.7 picocuries per liter. One month after Joe's death, Gloria learned that their home had a level of 17.9 picocuries per liter. Since then, she has done everything she can to support radon education, mitigation and legislation efforts.

Gloria encouraged a number of legislators to support the Indoor Radon Exposure Abatement and Detection Act, including Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL), Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Now, she's asking others to contact their legislators in support of this bill.

"This bill can save lives," Gloria said. "Communities need to test their homes for radon, then contact their legislators and encourage them to sign on and support this legislation."

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Skyline Plunge! Champaign-Urbana

Rachel Keeney to rappel Illini Tower

The University of Illinois student is participating in Skyline Plunge!, a rappelling event on Sunday, April 11, 2010. From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., spectators can gather on East Chalmers Street and look upward at the façade of Illini Tower to see adventurous participants descending from the rooftop to street level.

Keeney has lived in Illini Tower for the past three years and has been a residential advisor for the last two. She is rappelling for her love of the building, for the adventure, and in memory of her grandmother, whom she lost to lung cancer.

"I'm very adventurous; I've skydived 5 times total, and I probably will do it again," Keeney said. "I heard about plunge, and it's for a great cause, and I'm adventurous already, so why not? You gotta live life to the fullest - I'm young, so I gotta do it while I can!"

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago is partnering with the University of Illinois' Sports, Tourism, and Recreation Association (S.T.A.R.) to produce the event, which will raise awareness and funds for both organizations. Students, community members and local media personalities will be participating.

Keeney's family lives in Florida, so they will not be able to join her for the event. But they supported her fundraising efforts from afar, and she is preparing a video of her rappel to show her family. Her residents, coworkers and friends will be waiting on Chalmers St. cheering her on.

To support Rachel, visit her fundraising page.

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Susan Toalson to rappel 17 stories of Illini Tower

Skyline Plunge! is coming to Champaign-Urbana on Sunday, April 11, 2010. From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., spectators can gather on East Chalmers Street and look upward at the façade of Illini Tower to see 30 individual rappellers descending from the rooftop to street level.

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago is partnering with the University of Illinois' Sports, Tourism, and Recreation Association (S.T.A.R.) to produce the event, which will raise awareness and funds for both organizations. Students, community members and local media personalities will be participating.

Susan Toalson, Executive Director of the Urbana Business Association, will be among the adventurers rappelling to raise money in support of lung disease research and programs. Like many of her fellow participants, Susan has a personal connection to the cause: "My husband has asthma, so I know how important it is to do more research to improve understanding and treatments for respiratory illnesses."

But Toalson has a professional connection as well. Simply put, she says, "Our organization would not function without the intern support we receive from the recreation, sports and tourism students each semester." She explains that their intelligence and energy have helped further the mission of the Urbana Business Association, and "this rappel event is just a small way for me to say ‘thank you' for everything the S.T.A.R. students have done for us."

"Plus," she adds as a nervous afterthought, "I'm trying to conquer a little fear of heights..." 

To support Susan or offer words of encouragement, visit her fundraising page. 

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Hustle Up the Hancock

Ann Baker

Ann Baker was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in August 2008. She has never smoked a cigarette in her life.

The 45-year-old mother of three hasn't asked for a prognosis. Always an optimist, she is focusing on doing everything she can before she gets any sicker. So for Ann, being diagnosed with lung cancer was a call to action.

"People kind of give you the cold shoulder when you have lung cancer," said Ann.

Even as a non-smoker, Ann was met with blame for her disease. When she was first diagnosed, she felt herself getting defensive when discussing her lung cancer. Now that she has had it for more than a year, she has taken conversations around lung cancer as an opportunity to educate, not to feel guilty.

"Instead of being upset about it, I clear things up with people," she said. "In the process, I make them understand how frustrating it is to have lung cancer!"

Ann points to the visibility of diseases such as breast cancer and diabetes compared with the relative invisibility of lung cancer. She has seen a number of anti-smoking campaigns, but lung cancer can be caused by a number of factors, including radon and asbestos.

"Money should go toward helping people to stop smoking; I don't want to take that away from any effort or campaign," she said. "I just want to see more research on lung cancer. How can we manage or eliminate this horrible illness if there's just not the same kind of money going towards it?"

Ann's passionate awareness efforts are, in part, inspired by her current treatment: an oral non-chemo medication. For her, the treatment is a reminder that there is plenty more information to find, it just has to be funded.

"If you put this energy behind something, anything is possible!" Ann said.

This February, Ann will put her own energy to the test in the name of lung cancer awareness. She will participate in Hustle Up the Hancock, a climb up the stairs of The John Hancock Center. Ann will take on the half-climb, which means she will conquer 52 flights of stairs despite the tumors in her lungs. As a designated Lung Health Champion, Ann has committed to raising $1,000 for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago's lung health research, advocacy and education.

And this is only the beginning for her. Ann will be participating in Hustle alongside other people who have lung disease, and she looks forward to learning about their experiences.

"I want to hear other people's stories and find other areas that I can get support from," she said. "When you mention an illness, you hear about another person's struggles and how they got support. It brings people together in one way or another."

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John and Kelly Duncombe

It's safe to say that the John Hancock Center holds a special place in each Chicagoan's heart. For John and Kelly Duncombe, the building isn't just a Chicago icon; it's the place they found each other.

John and Kelly met in February 2008 in the John Hancock Center observatory. They had just completed Hustle Up the Hancock, an annual stair climb fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. John had endured the full climb of 94 flights, and Kelly and her mom, Denise Archambault, had completed the half climb of 52 flights.

Kelly and Denise took on the challenge in honor of Denise being declared cancer-free. Crossing the finish line was a powerful moment. As the two cried in celebration of Denise's recovery and their success in completing Hustle, John offered his congratulations and support.

Denise didn't say anything at the time, but she knew then that Kelly and John were perfect for each other. John caught on quickly, too, and continued talking with Kelly for a while. As they parted ways to head to the ground floor, John said he hoped to have the opportunity to see Kelly again. She agreed, but they didn't exchange contact information.

As fate would have it, they passed each other three more times on their way out of the building, and John finally tore off a piece of his racing bib to give Kelly his phone number. They dated for nine months, and got engaged in December 2008.

"It was just one of those things where the stars were kind of aligned," Kelly said. "It happened perfectly: doing Hustle with my mom, meeting my husband at a really emotional time. It totally happens when you're not looking."

"I pretty much knew after our first date that she was the girl I was going to marry and the exact kind of girl I was looking for," John said.

In honor of the city they love and the place they met, John and Kelly had a Hancock-themed wedding on September 26, 2009. On the night of the rehearsal dinner, John surprised Kelly with a Hancock frosted on the groom's cake, and John's dad presented the couple with artwork he created by juxtaposing a pictures of their church and the Hancock.

Pastor Michelle Miller of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, who performed their ceremony, even used Hustle as the theme of her homily. After talking with Kelly and John's parents at the rehearsal dinner, she used a banana, water bottle and competitor's medal to illustrate their parents' marital advice of "peeling back the layers" to know each other better, enjoying the refreshing nature of each other's company and taking pride in their commitment to each other.

Along with the health benefits and the physical challenge, John and Kelly's love for the event inspired Pastor Miller to participate in Hustle Up the Hancock alongside John, Kelly and Denise this year.

"I did three sessions of premarital counseling with them, and I said maybe I would go with them next year," Pastor Miller said. "I got really amped up about it while writing homily and because I knew it was important to their life."

On February 28, 2010, the four will take on Hustle Up the Hancock with a specific motivation. At the top, Pastor Miller will lead them in a prayer to celebrate their successful climb and their lifelong commitment to each other.

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 Jim Gill and Melissa Lane

When asked about his inspiration for participating in Hustle Up the Hancock, a 94-flight stair climb up the John Hancock Center, Jim Gill replied "I can't let my daughter beat me!"

As competitive athletes for most of their lives, Jim and his daughter, Melissa Lane, are no strangers to distance events. Jim has been competing in triathlons for more than 30 years, which inspired Melissa to compete in marathons. Although the two spend a majority of the year training separately for their respective events, it has become a November tradition to train together for Hustle Up the Hancock.

And the training isn't easy. They are both in shape for their distance events, but the stair climb works a different set of muscles and requires a different type of energy.

"In a triathlon, you can go slow so you can catch your breath," Jim aid. "With Hustle Up the Hancock, it's intense."

This year will be Jim's 11th Hustle and Melissa's sixth. When the weather gets too cold to swim and bike as part of his triathlon training, Jim comes inside to start his stair training.

"I just turned 60, and every year when I go for a physical the doctor tells me, ‘You're one of my few patients that doesn't take any medication,'" Jim said. "I like to think that's because I've been training all my life. I kind of pride myself on that."

It's a fact that Melissa doesn't easily forget.

"I think about him when I'm on my bad days for training," Melissa said. "He's out there doing this every year, still biking and swimming and running up the Hancock. If he can still do it, I can still do it."

For both Jim and Melissa, the best training is actually running up and down stairs. Each year, they find the tallest building to which they have access to start their climbing, increasing by a few flights each week.

"The driving force is the competition," Melissa said. "I do have people in my life who have been affected by lung disease, so it holds a special place in my heart. It's an opportunity to participate in something with my father, and it's been a great tradition every year."

"We're pretty competitive when it comes to the training part," Melissa said. "But when it comes to the day of the race, he wants everyone to do their best. He's just really excited at that point."

If you're participating in this year's Hustle, Jim and Melissa have one piece of advice: start slow. They agreed that most of the participants who race up the first few flights are huffing and puffing by the 20th floor -- so pace yourself!

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Liz Gonzalez

On Feb. 28, 2010, Liz Gonzalez is quitting smoking for good. She has been smoking for 15 years and has never tried to quit before. Although the odds are stacked against her, she's got more than will power to hold her to her goals.

Liz is participating in Hustle Up the Hancock, a 94-flight stair climb up the John Hancock Center. A fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Hustle raises more than $1 million for lung health research, education and advocacy in Chicagoland. For Liz, it is an opportunity to reach fitness goals and raise money for lung health along the way.

In support, Liz's friends, family and coworkers have donated more than $1,500 to her fundraising campaign, and she hopes their encouragement will hold her to her goal. She will also use the stories of the people she climbs beside to keep her on track.

"If I kept smoking, I wouldn't be able to look them in the face," Liz said. "It wouldn't be right."

Liz has been and avid exerciser for years. She runs 25 miles each week and when the weather permits, she climbs the rocky stairs of Swallow Cliff in Palos Park, Ill. As she works on her weight and her appearance, the next logical step was to quit smoking.

"At 42, I feel better physically in my own skin than I ever have before," Liz said. "And with all the working out, I'm proud of how I look. I can run for six miles straight, but I can feel it in my lungs."

After she climbs the 1,632 steps from the ground floor to the John Hancock Observatory, Liz says she won't pick up another cigarette. It's a hard challenge, with her willpower and the support of those around her, she is ready for it.

To support Liz in her climb or to offer encouragement, visit her fundraising page.

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Debbie Harris and Lee Okamoto

"I feel like I'm taking a breath for all those that can't," Lee Okamoto said.

Lee and her sister Debbie Harris are participating in Hustle Up the Hancock, a fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The two women will make their way up the 94-flights of the John Hancock Center on February 28, 2010 in memory of their mother.

Lee and Debbie lost their mother, Barbara Goodman, to lung cancer in 2006, just six months after she was diagnosed. By the time she sought treatment, Barbara had stage IV metastasized lung cancer. She was only 65 years old.

"We didn't know much about lung disease, so we didn't take action," Debbie said. "Had we known then what we know now, we would have done things much sooner."

Since then, the women have dedicated themselves to supporting research for lung disease. Each year, Hustle raises more than $1 million for lung health research, advocacy and education. For Debbie and Lee, the lung cancer support is top priority.

"I got into Hustle strictly and only because of the support that it gives to lung research," Lee said. "After she had gotten sick and I saw how little was done for lung cancer, I don't ever want the next person to go through what we went through."

It's a mission shared by most of the 4,000 participants who are affected by lung disease. For the sisters, it creates a space to feel supported in the loss of their mom. They recollected giving out high-fives to climbers they didn't even know, and enjoying the feeling of community they experienced at the event in 2009.

"It's not even about the climb," Debbie said. "The climb is a great accomplishment and it feels good -- don't get me wrong -- but seeing all different kinds of people all together for one main cause is just so tremendous."

And as dedicated as they are to supporting other people who face lung disease, their main motivation is honoring their mom.

"Whether we realize it or not, Deb and I talk about my mom pretty much the entire way up," Lee said.

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 Kim Lemar and Colleen McMahon Horrigan

When they get to the top of the John Hancock Center on February 28, Colleen McMahon Horrigan and Kim Lemar will have a lot to celebrate. They will have made the climb up 1,632 stairs. They'll have raised awareness and fought the stigma of lung cancer. They'll have honored their mothers' memories. And they'll have done it together.

Colleen and Kim have been River Forest neighbors for 13 years. They had been good friends since they met, but what brought them closest was navigating their mothers' early deaths from lung cancer. Having shared the diagnoses, treatments and loss of their moms, Kim and Colleen have a strong bond.

"It was really nice to have support, especially when we lost our moms," Kim said. "We just understood."

Colleen's mom was diagnosed in 1999, and when Kim's mom was diagnosed in 2001, the four women formed a warm, positive support network for each other.

"When she was diagnosed with stage III lung cancer, I just felt like there was a clock ticking," Colleen said. "But for a while, I didn't hear the clock."

Both of their moms were former smokers whose lung cancer escaped the attention of their health care providers until it was too late. Despite seeing a doctor for crippling back pain for more than a year, Kim's mom wasn't diagnosed until her cancer was stage IV.

"The thing that struck us the most as we started going through it was: why wasn't it ever diagnosed?" Kim said. "Once you learn that it's lung cancer, you start to look back and see all the places it was missed. "

But even when she was diagnosed, the stigma associated with the disease was a constant negative force. When Kim told someone that her mother had lung cancer, the automatic response was always, "Well, did she smoke?" Like many, Kim is adamant that no one deserves lung cancer, regardless of whether he or she smoked.

"I don't want other people to go through what we've been through," Colleen said. "It weighs on your heart."

Kim and Colleen are raising awareness and support for lung cancer research, anti-smoking campaigns and better care for lung cancer patients. They want to see more aggressive scanning for lung cancer, longer life expectancies for people who are diagnosed and less of a stigma around the disease.

"I'd make lung cancer a chronic disease instead of an icky life sentence," Colleen said.

On February 28, they will participate in Hustle Up the Hancock, an annual fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The 94-floor stair climb is the first outreach in their dedication to advocating for better care. They wouldn't think of climbing without each other.

"If you have a pal with you, it keeps you on track," Colleen said. "And you can giggle."

At the top of the John Hancock Center, they'll be surrounded by their families and thousands of other people affected by lung disease. As they honor their moms, they'll be in good company.

"It'll be a celebration when we get there, for our moms and for us," Colleen said. "We'll feel like we did something. "

"That would be the way both our mothers would want it," Kim added.

To support their efforts, visit Kim's or Colleen's fundraising page.

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Colleen McMahon and Tom Kendzior

Tom Kendzior was diagnosed with stage III testicular cancer in November 2008. As a 24-year-old competitive body builder who didn't drink or smoke, Tom and his fiancee, Colleen McMahon, were blindsided by the news. He had gone to the doctor for a routine, 15-minute procedure. When he came out of surgery five hours later, doctors had removed a tumor the size of a cantaloupe.

"I almost passed out," Colleen said. "I didn't have words."

Despite having testicular cancer, one of the biggest challenges for Tom has been his lung health. Just hours after the initial surgery, he learned that his lungs were 80 percent filled with fluid and tumors. On August 28, 2009 doctors removed half of one of his lungs and a third of the other.

But for the most part, Tom hasn't slowed down. He used to go to the gym five times each week, pushing himself to the limit, competing in body building events and being a personal trainer in his spare time. And even after his surgeries and chemo treatments, he is able to exercise safely and find new ways to do what he loves.

"I have a tendency to surprise my doctors," Tom said of his drive to keep exercising. On his first trip back to the gym after his initial treatments, his workout quickly escalated from light weightlifting to 10 handstand pushups. "Now, every time they tell me I can do something, they make me it very, very specific as to what I can do."

In honor of all of the lung health research that saved his life, Colleen is participating in Hustle Up the Hancock, a 94-flight stair climb up the famed Chicago building. The event is a fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and Colleen will join more than 4,000 other people in raising more than $1 million for lung health research, advocacy and awareness. The date of the event, February 28, 2010, marks the 6-month anniversary of Tom's lung surgery.

"We were looking for something to do that would help benefit a cause that helped him get where he is now," Colleen said. "So not only are we putting ourselves to a cause, we’re also raising money for it and working on a fitness goal. It’s perfect for Tom. It's got everything he wanted in it."

Initially, Tom had planned to participate alongside Colleen. But now that he is on his fourth chemo treatment, being immunocompromized means he won't be able to join her on Hustle day. Instead, Tom motivates Colleen as her personal trainer by outlining her training and exercising with her when he can.

He and Colleen are hopeful that this treatment will stick. But mostly, the two are thankful that Tom caught the cancer when he did, and that he is able to fight it while he is strong.

"I was in really, really good shape when I started, so I have been lucky," Tom said. "My mentality is: you might as well get me at my healthiest."

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Jay Readey

Chad Readey with his dad, Jay, close behind.

Jay Readey and his son Chad, 7, are participating in Hustle Up the Hancock, a 94-flight stair climb up the John Hancock Center. Hosted by and benefitting Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the event aims to raise more than $1 million for lung health research, advocacy and education in Chicagoland.

Jay first competed in Hustle Up the Hancock in 2005, when some coworkers encouraged him to join their team. An avid cyclist and runner, he took on Hustle for the challenge of climbing the 1,632 stairs.

"I was hooked," Jay said. "And my motivation to participate only grew over time."

As he has climbed Hustle over the last few years, Jay has been drawn into the stories of those around him. A majority of the 4,000 participants say they have been touched by lung disease, and many wear t-shirts or form teams to proclaim their motivations for climbing: remembering a mom lost to lung cancer; raising awareness for COPD; honoring the organ donor whose lungs saved a life.

"It has become something that I care about because I care about the people who are involved," Jay said. "Having that relationship with people who climb for a purpose, I've developed my own passion."

This year, Jay gets to climb beside his son, Chad, who is taking on the full 94 flights of stairs despite having asthma.

"Initially, this wasn't about lung disease," Jay said. "But as I got into it, I learned more about lung issues. And I realized that Chad's asthma is a quality of life issue for him and for us as parents."

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Donna Serlin

Donna Serlin has worked in pulmonary rehabilitation at Edward Hospital for more than eight years. In that time, she has served thousands of patients with a wide range of lung diseases. Like most who work in rehabilitation, she helps her patients to feel better physically. But the unique challenges of lung disease add another layer to her work: fighting the stigma of lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the only cause in the top five that is on the rise. More than 10 million Americans have been diagnosed, and an estimated 14 million more people are thought to be undiagnosed. Despite these statistics, COPD is still relatively unknown among the general public.

Because many lung diseases can be caused by smoking, people who have lung disease are often blamed for their situations. But as anyone who has treated, seen or experienced lung disease can tell you: no one deserves having to struggle to breathe. The stigma in combination with the relative invisibility of the disease is particularly difficult on people who are recently diagnosed with COPD.

"People who are in pulmonary rehab often blame themselves," Donna said. "But we encourage them not to look at the past. Instead, let's look at today and do what we can to improve their quality of life."

Through exercise, education and group support, Donna's patients are able to better manage their lung disease and prevent their condition from worsening. Most importantly, they know that they are not the only person who has COPD.

"It's a joy to help people and see them driving again or actually leaving the house with their oxygen tanks when before they didn't want to," Donna said.

Through group pulmonary rehab and a number of social events for people living with COPD, Donna's patients feel more comfortable with the disease. Her patients participate in social and educational events hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving people with lung diseases.

"Creating a sense of community is a huge part of what we do here," Donna said. "We focus on getting people to feel better through exercise and education, and we help them see that they are not the only person out there with lung disease."

In recognition of the efforts of Respiratory Health Association to improve the lives of people living with COPD, Donna and 11 teammates are participating in Hustle Up the Hancock, a 94-flight climb up the famed Chicago building. They are climbing to raise awareness for to raise awareness for Alpha-1 Antitripsyn deficiency, a genetic disease that can lead to COPD. The team is advocating for anyone who has lung disease to get tested for Alpha-1, and to talk to their healthcare providers to learn more.

To leave a message of support or to donate to Donna and her team, visit their Edward Team Alpha website.

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Skyline Plunge!

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Alison Elder

Alison Elder has been athletic her entire life, but it was not until a year ago that she was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. Although she had been an active runner and skier for years, like many Americans, she was unaware of the signs and symptoms of asthma.

When she exercised, Alison felt short of breath and wheezed, but assumed that her symptoms were an indicator of her health, not a serious condition. Last February, she participated in Hustle Up the Hancock, a 94-floor stair climb up the iconic Chicago building. When she reached the 30th floor completely out of breath, a concerned staff member of the host organization, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, suggested she see her health care provider for asthma testing. A few weeks later, Alison was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and provided with an inhaler to use before aerobic exercising.

"If it wasn't for Hustle Up the Hancock, I would never have figured out why I had trouble breathing," Alison said. "It is worthwhile to educate yourself on some of the issues with asthma before they come up. My asthma is controllable, but it has an impact on how I do what I do."

Thankfully, her asthma has not been limiting. Aside from a dose of her inhaler before exercising, Alison is able to continue her athletic pursuits without having to stop to catch her breath. On October 25, she will rappel 27 stories down Chicago's theWit Hotel to participate in Respiratory Health Association's Skyline Plunge! For Alison, the event is an opportunity to combine her passion for athleticism and her dedication to lung health, including her own.

"I am always up for a thrill, and I'm a nut when it comes to doing things with high altitudes and scaring myself," Alison said. "This is going to be so much easier than Hustle Up the Hancock; I get to take the elevator up and just rappel down!"

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Keith Franzen

On October 25, Northbrook resident Keith Franzen will rappel 27 stories down theWit hotel in Chicago as a participant in Skyline Plunge! Hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the event supports the fight against lung disease, and offers Keith a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor his brother, Larry.

Early in 2008, Larry was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which causes permanent damage to the lungs and shortness of breath. The cause is unknown, but as the disease progresses, the lungs lose all function.

While Larry was awaiting treatment in Florida, he and Keith's mother passed away in Iowa. Larry was able to view the funeral via webcam. Three days later, he got a call that a lung donor was available.

"I can't help but feel like he had somebody pulling for him," Keith said.

Since his double lung transplant in November 2008, Larry has been steadily recovering. Still, his IPF and his transplant will affect him for the rest of his life. Keith decided to participate in Skyline Plunge! to raise money and awareness for lung diseases like IPF. He has raised more than $3,000, and is upping his goal to $5,000.

"I prefer to think I've raised this much because of my brother's inspiring story, and not my friends' desire to see me walk off of a perfectly fine building," Keith said. "I feel really blessed and humbled that people have responded as generously as they have."

The focus, though, stays on Larry.

"What I'm doing is a really small thing when you consider the person and the family that was donor to my brother, what Larry went through, and all of the people who are affected by lung disease," Keith said.

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Garth Ingram

"I've looked up at those buildings and thought about scaling them thousands of times," he said. "When the opportunity surfaced, it was a no-brainer."

On October 25, Oswego resident Garth Ingram will join 100 others in rappelling down theWit Hotel's 278-foot façade (27 stories) in Skyline Plunge! The event will raise funds for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, an organization that supports healthy lungs and fights lung disease in Chicago.

Along with love of adventure, Garth is participating as a way to set an example for his children. Garth has had asthma since he was young, but refuses to let it interfere with what he wants to do. In addition to running a marathon and biking regularly, Garth sees Skyline Plunge! as an opportunity to prove that he is not limited by the disease.

"When I was a kid, my parents never told me I couldn't do anything, even though, at the time, lots of people with asthma were excluded from activities," Garth said. "Some people think of asthma as a reason to not do something; I don't think of it that way at all."

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Lauren LaViola

"I am very afraid of heights," said Lauren LaViola. "But when you face a fear in memory of someone else, it makes it easier to do. My dad lived his life for me... I think I can rappel down a building."

On October 25, Lauren LaViola will rappel 27 stories down theWit Hotel in Chicago. Skyline Plunge! is a fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and Lauren is participating in honor of her father, Larry LaViola, who passed away in August 2009.

In early July 2009, Larry sought treatment for back pain, which he thought was due to an injured spinal disc. Scans revealed several spots on his lungs thought to be blood clots. A biopsy revealed otherwise and he was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. Doctors estimated he had 12 to 14 months to live if he took treatment with an aggressive chemotherapy cocktail, but the cancer had spread so far and so quickly that he passed away less than two months after diagnosis.

Larry was a physician's assistant at the same clinic for 35 years in Snellville, Ga. In that time, he developed a strong following of patients and families. When he was first diagnosed with lung cancer, his wife, Susie, started an email list that included more than 200 concerned patients and friends. When he passed away, his patients reached out to Susie and Lauren to remember their favorite health care provider. His hometown police department is planting a tree in front of their new station in memory of Larry.

Just 40 hours after signing up for Plunge, Lauren raised $1,000. To date, she has raised more than $2,600 to support lung health programming and the fight against lung disease. She attributes the overwhelming support to her father's legacy.

Susie is flying up from Georgia to support Lauren as she takes the plunge. Along with her mother's support, Lauren hopes to work through her fear of heights so that she can honor her father's memory. But, just in case she can't one of her dad's friends reminded her that, "my dad will be with me to carry me down."

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Trace Schmeltz

"I have seen first hand what it means to not be able to breathe and what it means to fight for every breath you take," he said. "I've seen how it ruins a life and how it messes up a family. I've always, when given the opportunity, supported lung disease causes."

Downers Grove resident Vincent "Trace" Schmeltz III lost his dear friend, Chad Park, to cystic fibrosis. Their parents were close friends, so Trace and Chad had been friends for as long as they could remember. But Chad's early death - he was only 29 years old - shook Trace to the core.

"I don't recall knowing anything extraordinary until we were in high school," Trace said. "You always knew that Chad had something going on, but it seemed, as a kid, like ‘Oh, Chad has a cold' or ‘He's just got to stop when you're running around.'"

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes thick layers of mucous to build inside the lungs. In Trace's words, it "creates a swamp in your lungs." People who have cystic fibrosis are more likely to contract respiratory illnesses, and less apt to fight them effectively.

At the time, the pain of losing his friend made Trace shut down completely. He struggled to interact with Chad's family, didn't know what to say to them or how to act. Years later, he regrets that he couldn't handle the loss better.

"At some level, I look back on that and don't know if there is anything that I can do to redeem myself," said Trace. "I sure would like to see a better solution for people who have cystic fibrosis."

In an effort to ensure better treatment in the future, Trace is raising funds and awareness for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. As a part of Skyline Plunge!, Trace will rappel 27 stories down theWit Hotel on October 25.

As an experienced rappeller, mountain guide and paraglider, Trace's participation is less about the thrill and more about remembering Chad. To date, he has raised more than $1,300 for the event, and continues to raise awareness and funds.

"I want to do this for his family and for him," Trace said. "It's nice to get involved in an endeavor and have people support you and support the cause."

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LeeAnn Steinfeldt

Glendale Heights resident LeeAnn Steinfeldt is always up for an adventure, even if it means she'll have to conquer her fear of heights. On October 25, she will rappel 27 stories down Chicago's theWit Hotel as part Skyline Plunge!, a fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

LeeAnn is rappelling in memory of her grandfather, Nicholas Dercks, from whom she inherited her adventurous spirit. The two were inseparable for as long as LeeAnn can remember. When she moved away for college, she made special trips home just to see him and helped him around the house over her summer vacations. Last Christmas at 97-½ years old, Nicholas passed away from complications with congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"He always inspired me to do different things," said LeeAnn. "He always overcame challenges; even with COPD, he walked every single day and never balked about anything. He was always a positive person."

COPD is a respiratory disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Although more than 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, LeeAnn found that a lot of people don't know about the disease. Through her fundraising efforts, she has raised more awareness than she had expected.

"If you say emphysema, people understand that," said LeeAnn. "A lot of people know someone who is affected by respiratory issues, but the general population does not know what COPD is." She added that when she tells people about her grandfather and COPD, they are happy to support the cause.

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Bank of America Chicago Marathon

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Sue Koch

Chicago West Town resident Sue Koch wanted to spend this October 11 running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The 26-mile run was to be in memory of her mother and an opportunity to raise awareness for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although surgery for a foot injury will keep her out of the marathon, Sue has raised more than $1,500 in support of local COPD programs.

Sue’s mom, Beverly, had COPD for years without telling her children. It wasn’t until she was in the emergency room for shortness of breath that she let her family know about her lung disease; according to Sue, she didn’t want to worry her children.

COPD refers to both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, conditions that make breathing difficult due to airflow obstruction. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and the only one of the top five causes continuing to rise.

“Everyone knows about lung cancer, but even some smokers don’t know what COPD,” Sue said.

When Beverly started smoking in the 1940s, the risks were not as well-known as they are today. Regardless, people who have smoking-related diseases are often blamed or stigmatized for causing their own illness.

“People make bad decisions, but that doesn’t mean that they should be afflicted with a horrible disease like cancer or COPD,” Sue said. “My mom was 77 when she passed, and people around her age had no idea that smoking was bad for them. And by the time they did, they had been addicted for 20 or 30 years.”

Sue’s mother’s death came shortly after her father’s, and inspired Sue to do two things: First, she changed career paths to spend more time with family and create a more fulfilling career. She left her job of 15 years in technology as senior management and started her own business in professional small business and life coaching. 

“I like to work with people who are going through career or personal transitions, coping with personal trauma, facing elder care issues, or setting fitness and wellness goals,” Sue said. “I am great at working with people as they balance taking care of themselves and their families.”

Second, she decided to fundraise and raise awareness about COPD. Sue joined Lung Power Team, a group of athletes associated with Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. These competitive athletes participate in nationwide races to support lung health awareness and fight lung disease, so the team was exactly what Sue needed.
 
“Groups specifically focused on COPD are hard to find,” said sue. “Respiratory Health Association has a lot of programming and outreach efforts aimed at helping people living with COPD and their families, and that’s what I wanted to focus on.”

Sue’s passion for raising awareness has enabled her to raise a substantial amount of money for local lung health programs, and she has been educating others about COPD in the process.

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Becca Weiner

Buffalo Grove resident Rebecca Weiner, 20, is participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Like many of the runners, she has been training for months. Unlike many of the runners, Becca has asthma. On October 11, she will prove that people who have asthma should never feel limited by the condition. In fact, she says, running has helped her asthma more than anything.

“Running keeps me in shape, and it really has kept my asthma under control,” Becca explained. “I have a really strong heart even though my lungs are not as strong as they should be. I’ve kept my body very healthy.”

Since she was diagnosed 8 years ago, Becca has learned to control her asthma and avoid asthma episodes. She takes her reliever inhaler with her on every run as a precaution, and is thankful that she is able to run as much as she does.  A junior at University of Illinois, she is double majoring in chemistry and Spanish with the hopes of going to medical school to become a pulmonologist.

“I’m really healthy, but a lot of kids are so sick,” Becca said. “I’m fortunate that I am so healthy, and I want to help people that are less fortunate get the right treatment and be healthy like me. I want them to know that asthma should not be a limiting factor in anything they do.”

Becca is running the Chicago Marathon as a member of the Lung Power Team, a running group dedicated to fundraising on behalf of Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

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Hike for Lung Health

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Carri Bregar

Carri Bregar lost her father, Jerry, to lung cancer in 2004. Since then, she has been an advocate of lung disease research, but wanted to raise awareness with more than a checkbook. Looking for a more creative option, she decided to participate in Hike for Lung Health a multi-charity event hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

"I like to do something a little more pro-active," Carri said. "My dad had to go through so much physically when he had lung cancer, and if I just write a check it's too easy. I like having something to actually do."

On September 27, Carri and her extended family will walk through Palatine's Deer Grove in memory of Jerry as part of Hike for Lung Health. The event offers a 1-mile or 3-mile walk through Lincoln Park in Chicago or Palatine and is followed by music, a picnic lunch and family entertainment.

For Carri, the walk offers an opportunity to involve the children in family in the fight against lung cancer.

"In our family, we always, always, always do some kind of charity," she said, "and this is the first time that the kids actually get to do something in their grandfather's memory."

Not only will Carri's participation memorialize her father, she is also walking to help others who are living with lung cancer. As Carri leads Team Bregar, they are focused and hopeful.

"We are doing as much as we can to bring awareness to raise funds for research for lung cancer... We need to bring more money in for the research to have a cure one day."

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Ryan Fader

This September, 2½-year-old Ryan Fader and his family will join hundreds of others in Hike for Lung Health, a multi-charity fundraising walk to support the lung health community. Hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC), this will be Ryan's third time participating in the annual event. This year, though, will be the first time he walks without the constant aid of an oxygen mask.

When he was 2 months old, Ryan was diagnosed with a mutated gene, called ABCA3, which causes respiratory distress. At the time, doctors could only tell his parents, Eric and Sheri, that their son would need oxygen; they could not treat him and knew little about his disease.

The family was directed to Children's Interstitial Lung Disease (chILD) Foundation, which provides funding and support for families whose children have similar rare lung diseases. It was through chILD's message boards and emails that Ryan's mother, Sheri, connected with other parents of children with lung disease.

"It is such a lifesaver," she said. "These are parents who have become experts in what you're going through. They know more than the doctors do about how to deal with day-to-day issues of this disease... You don't want to be the person that everyone is staring at, and having people who understand that has been so wonderful and helpful."

On September 27, the Faders and other families will walk a 3-mile route through Lincoln Park as part of Hike for Lung Health. In the past 3 years, the Faders have raised more than $5,000 to support chILD Foundation and RHAMC.

Although he was not expected to crawl, talk or walk at the same pace as his twin sister, Sophie, they have hit many of their development milestones together. In the past year, Ryan's lungs matured enough that he was able to transition from constant use of an oxygen machine to only nighttime use.

Last year, Sheri watched as other children at the Hike for Lung Health played without the aid of their oxygen masks. This year, she is happy to watch her son do the same.

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William Mulligan

Imagine struggling to inhale, then having to exhale before your lungs feel full. Imagine walking a block and being exhausted. Imagine watching your child constantly struggle to breathe.

Each day, Chad and Lisa Mulligan’s 16-month-old son, William, struggles to breathe. William has children’s interstitial lung disease (chILD). Specifically, he has a genetic mutation ABCA3, which causes thickened cells between the lungs and blood vessels and makes the transfer of oxygen difficult. When William was diagnosed in February of 2008, doctors could tell his parents little about the condition, which was only identified four years earlier. With long-term studies and mass information unavailable, the diagnosis and uncertainty were hard on the Mulligan family.

“When it is your child, even the word ‘disease’ is very intimidating,” said Chad. “It drives an unimaginable amount of fear through you initially, and without concrete information to back it up, you think the worst.”

“It was such a long, hard road to diagnosis,” said Lisa. “Talking to other parents, this seems to be their story, too. Many doctors just don’t know about chILD. Thank God we found a great doctor to take care of William.”

But in large part, the Mulligans are still in the dark on their son’s disease. They joined chILD Foundation (www.childfoundation.us), a support network for families of children with interstitial lung disease, but still do not have a definite answer to questions about their son’s future. But they’re committed to doing what they can.

The Mulligans recently participated in Hike for Lung Health, a 3-mile walk through Chicago’s Lincoln Park hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago to support a dozen lung health charities. The family raised nearly $10,000 to support chILD Foundation, and have only just begun what will be a lifetime goal of awareness and fundraising. Hike for Lung Health charity partners have raised more than $118,000 to date, and donations will be accepted at www.lungchicago.org through October 19, 2009.

The Mulligans’ efforts are aimed at supporting chILD Foundation’s goal of creating a database of kids with chILD to encourage health care providers to exchange treatment information.

“It’s such a rare disease that unfortunately it’s not going to be picked up by a pharmaceutical company or be supplemented by government research,” said Chad.

Lisa added, “I hope the one thing we can accomplish is to raise awareness, especially to health care providers.”

Because they expend so much energy trying to breathe, many children who have chILD rely on oxygen, high caloric diets and even feeding tubes to keep them steadily developing. Luckily for William, although he requires an oxygen at all times, he is otherwise a typical, active toddler.

According to his father, William treats everything like a baseball; if he can get his hands on it, he will launch it across the room.

The problem is that having such an adventurous toddler on an oxygen tank is almost like having him on a 50-foot leash. As William moves from one area of the house to the next, he can easily tangle himself and everything around him in the tubing, which means his parents have to constantly watch and untangle him. It’s a challenge that the Mulligans hope William will outgrown in a few years, perhaps requiring oxygen only at night.

“We don’t limit ourselves or William,” Chad said. “He is out of the house playing as much as he is inside; he has been on airplanes; and we take him on trips. He has a pretty big obstacle in front of him, but one that our family will overcome together.”

William lives in St. John, Indiana, with his parents and three sisters, Maggie (8), Joie (6), and Malorie (4).

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Nolan Rahm

Before his first birthday, Nolan Rahm’s family nicknamed him “Little Bear” because he was such a grumpy child. His parents, Bradley and Nancy, knew that it was not normal for their infant to sleep only 3 hours at a time each night, but their pediatrician offered no suggestions. Frustrated, the Rahms took their son to a specialist, who quickly identified that their child had asthma, although his only symptom was not sleeping well.

He started nebulizer treatments and a rescue inhaler. To ensure that they had identified each of Nolan’s triggers, the Rahms removed all carpeting, stuffed animals and houseplants from their home, and even sent the family pets to live with Nancy’s mother. Thanks to the dedication of his family, now 6-year-old Nolan has his asthma controlled.

Although the nickname stuck, Nolan is no longer a grumpy kid. For any family who has been told that their child’s asthma will be limiting, Nolan proves otherwise. He has played four seasons of soccer and is an orange belt in tae kwon do. This year, he will participate in his third Hike for Lung Health, a 3-mile walk through Chicago’s Lincoln Park. 

“This is all thanks to the researchers and medications that have been discovered for asthma,” said Nancy. “Without the proper medication, I have no doubt he would be unable to participate in tae kwon do, soccer or even gym at school.  This is why we walk: to donate money to research for lung disorders to help kids like Nolan." 

The Hike for lung Health is an annual event hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The multi-charity event benefits local organizations that are dedicated to lung health, and raises awareness about asthma and other lung diseases.

Before Nolan had his asthma under control, he could barely walk 1 block without getting tired. His parents noticed that he would play hard for about 15 minutes, then slow down, then sit down. When they decided to participate in their first Hike for Lung Health, Bradley and Nancy started preparing Nolan for the walk a full 6 months in advance, wanting to ensure that he was not too worn out to complete the course. Thanks to their efforts, Nolan made the trip.

“We wanted to do something for him and to help raise awareness,” said Bradley. “We really needed to show him that he can do what other kids are doing. We wanted him to know that just because he has asthma, doesn’t mean he can’t do things.” 

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Sister Mary Pat Volz

On September 27, Sister Mary Pat Volz will participate in Hike for Lung Health, a 3-mile walk through Lincoln Park. As a person living with asthma, she is personally committed to the event’s mission to raise awareness and support for lung diseases. And, as the bus driver for Resurrection High School in Chicago, she sees the ways that lung diseases like asthma can affect the young people in her community. 

"It is important to me that all people are aware of asthma," said Volz. She added that she has helped students learn to manage their asthma and "learn how to use inhalers properly by passing along information that I have picked up at the walks."

Volz has supported Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago for 6 years, and this will be her third time walking in Hike for Lung Health. While visiting her pulmonologist's office, she saw a brochure about RHAMC and was excited to see that Hike for Lung Health benefited programs for children to learn more about their asthma.

Each year, Sister Mary Pat has found creative ways to fundraise for the walk. Along with asking family and friends to sponsor her, she made embroidered towels, friendship bracelets, and even sold ice cream floats at school to raise money for her team.

"The second year I walked, I sold wristbands," said Volz. "I had my young niece help me sell in Minnesota, so I put her on my team and they sent her a shirt. She still wears it. "

Sister Mary Pat is the only member of her 2009 Hike team, but invites students and other families to walk with her. The information that she gathers from Respiratory Health Association and the other charity partners, as well as the opportunity to sell her crafts to support the cause, keep her coming back each year. 

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