BROOKFIELD, Wisc. – (March 20, 2019) – On March 9, nearly 2,900 people climbed in the American Lung Association in Wisconsin’s Fight for Air Climb at U.S. Bank Center in Milwaukee. The event raised a record-breaking $750,000 to fund lung cancer research and critical local programs to help Wisconsin residents who suffer from lung disease.

The 2019 Milwaukee event was the largest Fight For Air Climb in the history of the organization. Over the 11 years of the event, the organization has raised nearly $6 million. Much of this is thanks to long-time sponsors, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin, Presenting Sponsor; Today’s TMJ4, Media Sponsor; and US Bank Center, site sponsor.

“Every year the Fight For Air Climb gets bigger and better and distinguishes itself further as a signature fundraising event in southeast Wisconsin,” said Anthem Blue Cross and BlueShield in Wisconsin President Paul Nobile. “It’s an important event for an important cause, and a cornerstone of Anthem’s commitment to this community. Congratulations to every climber and donor, and to the ALA staff who worked so hard to make the Climb an unparalleled success.”

New to the event this year was the We Energies Pole Climbers Challenge, where teams of five or more line mechanics raced to the top of U.S. Bank Center. Team members were required to climb in their full work gear, including their FRC shirt and pants, safety glasses, boots, rubber gloves, hard hat, climbing belt and tools.

In total, the Fight For Air Climb at U.S. Bank Center resulted in:

  • Nearly 2,900 registered climbers
  • 444 teams
  • Nearly 400 volunteers
  • $750,000 raised and counting

Top Finishers Include:

Top Female Climbers

  1. Danielle Anton: 6:21
  2. Holly LaVesser: 6:22
  3. Meghan Neu: 7:30
  4. Rachel Illgen: 7:34
  5. Mollie Bussie: 7:39

Top Male Climbers

  1. Josh Duncan: 6:19
  2. Keith Harvey: 6:25
  3. Sal Impellitteri: 6:25
  4. Jean-Roch Grenetier: 6:33
  5. Ricardo Contreras: 6:37

Top  Ultimate Climbers – Eight Climbs in One Hour

  1. Jason Larson, 48:51
  2. Holly LaVesser, 52:10
  3. Josh Duncan, 53:53

Fastest Firefighter Teams

  1. Sheboygan Fire Department
  2. West Allis Fire Department
  3. Wauwatosa Fire Department
  4. Waukesha City Firefighters
  5. Madison Fire

Fastest Individual Firefighters

  1. Zeke Dombrowski, West Allis Fire Department
  2. Efrem Capetillo, Sheboygan Fire Department
  3. Jestin Demerath, Sheboygan Fire Department
  4. Joel Johnsrud, Sheboygan Fire Department
  5. Nathaniel Reisdorf, Wauwatosa Fire Department

For full timing results, click here.

Top Fundraisers Include:

Top Individual Fundraisers

  1. Mark Jungers: $17,060.00
  2. Todd Pfander: $15,915.00
  3. Donna Scaffidi: $14,390.00
  4. Chris Cahlamer: $10,296.00
  5. Chuck Roberts: $5,808.00

Top Team Fundraisers

  1. Baker Tilly Milwaukee: $30,355.10
  2. Team Pelkey 2019: $19,639.00
  3. That One Guy: $15,915.00
  4. Climbing Cahlamers: $14,640.00
  5. Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield: $12,058.09

Full event results and photos are available here.

“This year in Wisconsin, there will be almost 4,400 people diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 3,000 will die from the disease. For the Fight For Air Climb, our community came together to fight lung disease and help raise money to fund critical lung cancer research,” said Monique Hughes, development director for the Lung Association in Wisconsin. “Thank you to all of our participants, sponsors and volunteers who came together to make a difference in the lives of people facing lung disease.”

The Fight For Air Climb raises awareness for lung disease, raises money for life-saving research, and funds critical local programing like educational programs to help local children better manage their asthma and free programs to help residents quit smoking. More information is at FightForAirClimb.org. 

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