Local Stair Climbing Team Raises Awareness for the ALA
Writer / Demi Lawrence
In an effort to raise awareness for the American Lung Association and lung diseases, the Quarles Climbers’ 3rd American Lung Association Fight for Air Stair Climb is scheduled for March 4. Several fundraisers were held in support of the event, including an open house January 14, at which many vendors sold their items and an auction was conducted. The Indy Fuel hockey team also played a special game January 28, at which 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the Quarles Climbers and their event.
The team received its inspiration from a young girl named Maddie Graham. Maddie lost her battle with Pulmonary Hypertension, a devastating lung disease, just shy of her third birthday. Now the team climbs in her memory.
“Maddie would always say ‘Tank You,’ both verbally and through her baby sign language, to every doctor, nurse, therapist, and pretty much anyone who helped her in any way,” said Kirsten Graham, Maddie’s mom. “I remain in awe, wonder and amazement at this one little gesture of hers. She had a strength that I had rarely seen before or since.”
Last year, the Climbers raised more than $18,000 for their cause, and this year they hope to increase that to $30,000.
To donate to the team and for more information, visit action.lung.org/goto/quarlesclimbers.
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