American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb New York City Moves to Citi Field to Support Lung Health, COVID-19 Action Initiative on June 19, 2021

Today, the American Lung Association in New York announced that it will host its annual Fight For Air Climb New York City, outside at Citi Field, on June 19, 2021 at 9am for up to 500 participants. The Climb will operate as a hybrid with both outdoor and virtual options. As part of the event’s “Climb Safe Commitment” in-person participants will be required to spatial distance, complete a basic entryway health screen, use sanitation protocols and face masks on site. The Climb will support research, advocacy and education for lung diseases, lung cancer and COVID-19 with a fundraising goal of raising $175,000

As part of the Fight for Air Climb New York City, the Lung Association has introduced the Climb21 Challenge, empowering participants to “Climb Your Way” for the 21 days leading up to the in-person event. This challenge utilizes the new Fight for Air Climb app (available for Apple and Android devices) and invites climbers to virtually ascend famous landmarks across the globe, like the Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon and Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) leading up to our in person event on June 19.

“The Fight for Air Climb is a treasured community event in the New York metro area and we are excited to see it evolve and expand this year, by moving it both online and outside to our beloved Citi Field!” said Erica Masin, development director for the American Lung Association in metro New York. “Our mission to improve lung health and air quality through education, research, and advocacy has never been more important than it is today and we are simply willing to do whatever it takes to advance that mission and improve people’s lives, while keeping our community safe and healthy during this challenging time.”

“We’re excited to climb the stairs at Citi Field as part of the firefighter challenge this year,” said Patrizio Peluso, Captain of the Fort Lee Fire Team, and Deputy Chief of Fort Lee Fire Department. “So many of us have personally experienced or seen loved ones cope with lung diseases, lung cancer, and now COVID-19.  We know how devastating lung disease can be – and so we show up at the Fight For Air Climb New York City every year to help raise critical awareness and funds for more research and new treatments.”

Every year the event includes a firefighter challenge, where firefighters race up the stairs in full gear weighing 50lbs or more. It often inspires internal and inter-department competitions for speed and fundraising, in an effort to drive awareness about the lung health challenges may firefighters and first responders face due to long term exposure to smoke and air pollutants.  

Peluso continued, “We are always honored to participate in this event, and highlight the hardship that our fellow brothers and sister firefighters face when it comes to lung disease and lung cancer. This year, doing it at Citi Field during a pandemic caused by a respiratory illness simply makes it meaningful on so many more levels.”  To support the Fort Lee Fire Department team, visit their event page, or watch the team in action in a YouTube training video.

Money raised through the Fight for Air Climb New York City 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.

To register for the fight for Air Climb or to access additional information visit FightForAirClimb.org/NewYorkCity