(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The annual Respiratory Health Association's Hustle Chicago on Sunday, had people climbing sky high for a cause.
More than 2,000 people signed up to climb 94 flights. That's over 1,600 stairs at the former John Hancock building.
“This is so important to me because of my triple transplant, and I want to promote healthy lungs and airs and it's incredible that we've been able to contribute so many people into it,” Sarah McFarlane said.
She was joined on the climb by the team of doctors and other personnel that helped carry out her transplants.
“We are the Delta Force, and that's what [my doctor] calls his surgical team, because they're like the powerhouse after the surgery that takes care of the people. So yeah, we're Delta Force and then also Team Take My Breath away because we thought that was a clever, fun name.”
The event has been running for 28 years.
“The community feel has always been so important because people participate in honor of loved ones. There's firefighters who participate. Just people really are connected to lung disease and better breathing. COPD and the ailments that are affiliated with pollution and air and so forth,” volunteer Nancy said..
The Hustle Chicago stair climb has raised millions of dollars to support the respiratory Health Association's lung disease research, clean air policy work, and health education programs.
“This is such an iconic building and a charity that's many decades old, and just looking around seeing what good hearts people have.”
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