Mother’s Battle to Breathe Inspires Woman’s Fight For Air Climb

Iowa resident Denise Waddingham signed up for the Fight For Air Climb in Downtown Des Moines last winter not knowing that her reason for climbing would change dramatically in just a few months. Then on February 1, her mother passed away after a 15-year battle with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD).

Throughout the years, Waddingham watched her mother’s COPD progress until she was required to be on oxygen 24 hours a day and could no longer stand.

“It was heartbreaking to see my once vibrant mom not vibrant anymore,” said Waddingham. “I climb to get a small glimpse of what she dealt with daily.”

After her mother’s passing, Waddingham saw an outpouring of support by her friends and family. Many donated to her Fight For Air Climb to memorialize her mother.

“It’s been just a few months since she died and I miss her so dearly. This year’s climb I will dedicate to her memory. It will mean so much more to me this year and will be quite emotional,” she said. “Each email I received stating a new donation was made brought tears to my eyes -- a tear for not having my mom here, a tear for the pain she went through all those years with fighting to breathe, a tear for other’s kind thoughts to donate to such a needed cause, and a tear for all the others in the world fighting lung disease.”

This is the second year that Waddingham has participated in the Fight For Air Climb with her team, the Brickhouse Babes. This year, one of her sisters joined the team for the first time and her dad and family will cheer them on at the towers in Downtown Des Moines.

The Fight For Air Climb presented by Hubbell Realty Company will take place on April 8, 2018 in downtown Des Moines. Registration for the 15^th Annual Fight For Air Climb is currently open online or by calling 515-309-9507.