Roseland Fire Department team raises over $1,400 for lung health

For the first time ever, American Lung Association in New Jersey hosted its 8th annual Fight For Air Climb New Jersey outdoors in Harrison, NJ at the Red Bulls arena. The event raised $40,000 and attracts participants, including firefighters and first responders from throughout the state.

The event typically takes place in the stairwells of One Gateway Center in Newark but was reimagined as an outdoor climb challenge for the safety of participants, volunteers and staff

Money raised through the Fight for Air Climb New Jersey will fund the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the Lung Association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative. The COVID-19 Action Initiative is a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics. The initiative works with public and private entities to increase research collaboration and develop new vaccines, detection tests and treatment therapies.

Perry Lee, New Jersey firefighter, veteran Fight For Air Climb participant and Roseland, New Jersey resident said, “I’ve been doing the Fight for Air Climb for years in honor of my cousin Ann. After my own lung cancer diagnosis in 2019, I know personally what it means to fight lung disease. Participating in this event alongside my first responder brothers and sisters gives me a sense of solidarity, a sense of hope, and it reminds me of what we are capable of when we all support each other.” Perry does the Climb with his brothers from the Roseland Volunteer Fire Department in Roseland New Jersey. The members of the team have their own reason for being there. Some climb because they believe in the cause, others to achieve fitness goals and be part of the group, and a few – like Perry – climb to honor or remember someone they love. To learn more about Perry or him and the "Roseland Fire Department” team, visit here.

This year, Perry and his teammate Andy Vogel, also of the Roseland Fire Department have raised $1,431 and still counting.

To support the American Lung Association or learn more about events near you, visit Lung.org.