Gig Harbor Firefighters Raising Money for Annual Stair Climb Competition

The Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle has been the site of the annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb for the last 22 years. Once again, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One will be sending a team of 12 who will race up 69 flights of stairs in full fire gear and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.

All proceeds from the competition on March 10 will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

In order to raise money for the cause, the team representing Gig Harbor Fire & Medic will have a “demonstration” of competing in the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s in front of the Gig Harbor Safeway on Saturday, Jan. 19, 12 p.m. -4 p.m.

“Some members on our team have competed and raised funds for this event for over 20 years,” said firefighter Brad Harris. “With the support of our community, the Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One team can raise more money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society than we ever have in the event’s existence.”

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The LLS is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $814 million for research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

About the race:

At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city.

The Scott Firefighter Stair Climb supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees.

In 2012, the event featured and brought in a record $1.2 million for blood-cancer research and patient services.

Click here for more information about the event and its mission.