Iowa Firefighters Featured in Lung Association’s 2022 Firefighter Calendar

Jeremy Brogaard and Daniel Martinez, Jr. from the Kanawha Fire Department have raced up hundreds of stairs in their heavy firefighter gear during the American Lung Association in Iowa’s Fight For Air Climb for a total of eight years, and fundraising along the way. Now, these local heroes are being honored as top supporters nationwide for their enduring efforts to help eliminate lung disease.

The Lung Association launched its 2022 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar to honor local heroes and support its vision of a world free of lung disease. This is the second annual calendar recognizing the Climbs’ top supporters who participate in an annual event held in over 40 cities across the country.

“The Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb is a rewarding experience because I get to raise awareness and money to support a cause that is significant to the firefighter community,” Brogaard said. “Unfortunately, many firefighters suffer from lung disease because they are exposed to gases, chemicals and smoke while on duty. I’m grateful that the Lung Association’s calendar helps support all firefighters’ lung health.”

The mission of the Lung Association hits close to home with firefighters. Respiratory diseases remain a significant health issue for firefighters and emergency responders. Firefighters are at a higher risk to develop chronic issues, including lingering cough, hoarseness, asthma, allergies, and in more extreme cases, may be diagnosed with lung or bronchial cancer.

“Firefighters like Jeremy and Daniel are not only out there saving lives every day, they fundraise and participate in events like our Fight For Air Climb in their free time,” said Micki Sanquist, executive director of the Lung Association. “We are amazed by their daily sacrifice and are honored that Daniel and Jeremy, as well as so many other local heroes, participate in our event.”
    
The 2022 calendar features photos of our top fundraising firefighters and firefighter teams at their local Fight For Air Climbs. It also includes fire safety tips, statistics on how fires affect our lung health and tips for firefighters’ local Fight For Air Climb. All proceeds will support the Lung Association’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.

The Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar can be purchased at Lung.org/Calendar. 

To schedule a media interview with Brogaard and Martinez, Jr., contact Dana Kauffman at the Lung Association at 312-940-7624 or [email protected].