Jay Readey climbs to support son, friends

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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