American Lung Association’s Annual Fight For Air Climb Philadelphia Goes Virtual, Supports Covid-19 Initiative

For the first time in its 14-year history, the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb - Philadelphia will be held virtually. By shifting from a physical event to one held online and through destinations of participants choice, the organization will reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, while raising funds to help defeat respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19. From now through September 12, participants throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region, and around the country will be able to register, track their own progress and complete goals and participate in pre-event Passport Challenges, while remaining active within their own home or community.

Hundreds of registrants will also be fundraising to support life-saving lung disease research and the Lung Associations Covid-19 Action Initiative; a $25 million initiative to end Covid-19 and defend against future respiratory virus pandemics.

“The Fight For Air Climb Philadelphia” is a beloved event for those in Greater Philadelphia and beyond, but our top priority is always the health of our participants, volunteers and staff. Now more than ever, it’s important that we work together to end Covid-19 and all lung diseases,” said American Lung Association Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia, Caroline Hutchinson. “While Covid-19 may have changed our event plan, it has also strengthened our determination as a community to defend the right and ability for everyone to breathe freely. We thank our supporters and lung health community for working with us as committed partners in the effort to defeat Covid-19 and funding vital lung health research that saves lives.”

The annual Fight For Air Climb - Philadelphia was scheduled for March 28th at Three Logan Square. As a virtual event, organizers have developed new ways for people to participate virtually now through September 12, starting with downloading the free Strava app and joining the Fight For Air Climb - Philadelphia Club. Participants are asked to stay active and get their steps in for the climb or choose to “climb” around their neighborhood, on a treadmill, staircase or nearby park or greenway.  Their tracked activity will correspond with the official Strava leaderboard, retaining a sense of friendly competition that the event is often know for. All are welcome to use hashtag #PhillyClimb and join in on social media. Passport challenge winners will be announced at the virtual September 12 Opening Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. 

The Fight For Air Climb Philadelphia regularly attracts over 800 people to walk or run up the 50 flights of stairs, or 1,088 steps to the top of Three Logan Square. Climbers usually include firefighters from throughout the Greater Philadelphia area who climb during the “Firefighter Challenge” wearing full firefighter gear, weighing up to 70 lbs. The Fight For Air Climb - Philadelphia is one of a series of American Lung Association signature fundraising events across the country, all of which have gone virtual due to Covid-19 precautions.

Register now at Fight For Air Climb -Philadelphia and get started on the Passport Challenges and stepping for the Climb. Participate through social media and post in our virtual Community on Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram @americanlungphl and use #PhillyClimb. When registrants complete each of the Passport Challenges by August 28, they have an opportunity to earn prizes and be featured in the Climb video.

The Passport Challenges:

• #ClimbForCovid Challenge. Post a video of yourself completing 36 mountain climber exercises and tag three friends to take the challenge; or make a $36 dollar donation. 
• Step It Up Challenge. Choose your stairs and complete 1,088 steps and share on social media. Climbers who raise $1,088 become a part of our $1,088 club and receive shout-outs on our social channels, and branded Fight For Air Climb items including a Yeti 20 oz. tumbler.
• Break A Sweat Challenge. Simulate the 50 floor Climb at Three Logan Square by logging a minimum 700 feet elevation activity in our Strava Club.
• Fire Station Challenge. Simulate the 50-floor climb at Three Logan Square by logging a minimum 700 feet activity in our Strava Club. The fire station with the highest average of activities will be awarded a prize.
• Century Climb Challenge. Complete 100 mountain climber exercises and post on social media.
• Take the Pledge to Stand Up For Clean Air.  This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Air Act, and to celebrate, the Lung Association introduced the Stand Up For Clean Air initiative. Climbers can make a big impact with simple steps and pledge to take action on air quality and climate change. Individual steps can make a collective difference! 
• 50 State Challenge. Climb team challenge to receive a donation from all 50 states.

Registration for the virtual event is $25 and participants are asked to raise $75 or more. Participants raising a total of $100 are eligible for a t-shirt, sponsor swag, social media mentions and more. The event aims to raise over $275,000 for our mission, to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through advocacy, education and research of lung diseases, including Covid-19.
The Fight For Air Climb Philadelphia sponsors are Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Jefferson Health, National Jewish Health, Brandywine Realty Trust, Holman Enterprises, Theravance Biopharma, IMC Construction, Independence Blue Cross and Genentech. 

For more information on the Virtual Fight For Air Climb - Philadelphia visit PhiladelphiaFightForAirClimb.org/philadelphia. For more information on the American Lung Association’s work on COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Action Initiative, visit lung.org/covid19.

For media interested in speaking with a lung health expert or lung champion, contact Val Gleason at [email protected] or call 717-971-1123.