Climbing for a Cause

Indy Chamber News Archives

Carla Peck, from Indianapolis, lost more than 100 pounds while stair climbing and adhering to her diet program. In doing so, she’s raised thousands of dollars to help fund life-saving lung cancer research by the American Lung Association in Indiana, and Peck plans to do it again this year when she participates in the 2016 Fight for Air Climb presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield at Chase Tower on Saturday, March 5.

Her story is only one of dozens of inspirational and heart-tugging stories of participants at the Fight for Air Climb. Get to know the individuals in our community who are making a difference in the Fight For Air.

• Dan Long, from Carmel, climbs in honor of his youngest daughter who suffers from asthma and in memory of his grandfather and aunt who both died from lung cancer. He also serves as the Chairman of the Fight For Air Stair Climb's Executive Leadership Team and as Vice-Chair of Indiana’s Local Leadership Board.
• Sara Schluge, from Indianapolis, completed her first stair climb three years ago when she was six months pregnant.  She now climbs with her two siblings in memory of their mother, Sandra K. Beeler, who they lost to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Schluge also serves on the Lung Association’s Executive Leadership Team.
• Justin Forkner, from Indianapolis, is an attorney and Army veteran and has participated in six consecutive Fight for Air Climbs, this year will be his seventh. He climbs in memory of his mother, Kathy Forkner, who passed away from lung cancer in 2008. 
• Ryan Miller, from Westfield, is climbing in honor of two loved ones’ daily struggle with asthma and in memory of several family members who losttheir fight to lung disease.  He also serves on the Lung Associations’ Fight for Air Climb Executive Leadership Team.

Registration is open online at www.FightForAirClimb.org or by calling (317) 819-1181. Registration is $25, until March 1, $45 after.

Participating in the Fight for Air Climb empowers individuals to invest in their own personal health and fitness. You’re not just climbing stairs; you’re fighting for an end to lung disease. 

Through fundraising, climbers help improve the lives of patients across the country and locally in Indiana. Ninety cents of every dollar raised goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

Thousands of Hoosiers from across the state and the mid-west will participate in Indiana’s biggest stair climb at Chase Tower (Chase Tower; 111 Monument Circle) on Saturday, March 5. Individuals, friends and families of all fitness levels will climb 47 floors. Need a visual? Check out this video!