COLUMBUS - Often times many of us take one of our most basic necessities for granted; the ability to breathe.
The truth of the matter is, millions of Americans struggle with some form of lung disease on a daily basis.
10TV talked with a local firefighter who explained that lung disease hit too close to home and inspired him to take action.
“My dad was a pretty normal, healthy guy,” explained Pete Richison, a firefighter and paramedic for the Whitehall Fire Department. “We did a lot of things together; he played paintball with me, he was active, we hunted, we did all these things.”
That was until suddenly, the struggle to breathe began to slow Pete’s father down.
“Pete, he's one of my two sons—two boys that mean the world to me, said Carl "Butch" Richison, Pete's father. “I love my boys with my heart and my soul… Several years ago my world was turned on its head when I joined the ranks of people who have a breathing issue.”
It was around that time that Pete learned of the American Lung Association's "Fight for Air Climb,” a race up hundreds of stairs to raise money in support of research, education and treatment for lung diseases like asthma, COPD and lung cancer.
“I wanted to do something for my dad but I couldn't,” Pete said. I’m a doer and a fixer and I wanted to change this for him and help him but I just can't, and when I heard about the climb, I thought 'This is it. This is the thing that I can do. I can raise money for the American Lung Association and I can hopefully, indirectly, maybe find you know, a diagnosis or a cure or a change or something, new medicine, anything, that can help him.’”
Saturday, February 16 will mark Pete’s eighth Fight for Air Climb.
The Columbus event involves climbing 40 floors, nearly 900 stairs, up the Rhodes Tower, the tallest building in the city.
To add to the challenge, Pete and fellow firefighters will be dressed in full gear to bring attention to lung disease among those in the profession.
“Cancer is at a significantly increased risk for firefighters,” Pete said. “The things that we're exposed to; the smoke and the carcinogens, it definitely affects us.”
As the top firefighter fundraiser for the last seven years, Pete hopes to meet his individual goal of $2,500 in 2019.
“I’ve seen that impact. We see it out on the streets with our citizens and it's just important for us to try to do something about that,” he said. “And this is one way that we can change that.”
But this year will be more significant for Pete than the fundraising alone because for the first time, his father is going to attempt to join him in his efforts.
After climbing in his gear, Pete will climb a second time with his father to support the research and treatments they believe gave them the opportunity.
“I’m not out to set any records. I'm not out to set any goals. Other than one that I put on myself—to finally climb with my boy,” “Butch” said.
The American Lung Association Columbus Fight for Air Climb is Saturday, February 16 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Rhodes Tower in downtown Columbus.
The 2019 Columbus Fight for Air Climb is projected ro raise $110,000 in total. To donate to the Pete and other climbers, click here.
Register for the 2019 Fight for Air Climb here.