Jennifer Weber will honor her dad, Paul Wolford, who passed away from lung cancer when she takes over 1,400 steps in the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb – Kansas City, presented by Empower, at Children’s Mercy Park. Surrounded by hundreds of fellow lung health champions, she will climb on June 11th to help end the illness that took her dad’s life.
“Seven years ago, my dad was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer,” Weber said. “He was active, healthy, and a non-smoker. The news was devastating.”
Due to breakthroughs in lung cancer research and treatment, Weber’s father exceeded his life expectancy by over a year and reached one of his goals, to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. He continued to advocate for lung health and participated in several LUNG FORCE and Fight For Air Climb events, even after his prognosis.
“I told him he was not only a LUNG FORCE Hero, but he was my hero,” Weber said. “My dad was committed to climbing not only for himself, but for those affected by lung cancer today and in the future.”
Weber’s team, Wolfpack, has been successful working towards its fundraising goal and are hoping to continue raising even more funds. Their ultimate ambition: to support the Lung Association in finding a cure for lung cancer.
“We are so proud of his fight,” Weber said. “We will continue fighting for him and many others battling the disease.”
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the U.S. In 2022 alone, it is estimated that 2,190 Kansas residents and 5,690 Missouri residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer.
Funds raised at the Kansas City Climb will support the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease through local programs, advocacy efforts and lifesaving research. For more information about the Climb, and to register, visit FightForAirClimb.org/KansasCity.
The Lung Association strongly recommends that all participants be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Participants, volunteers, and staff are encouraged to wear a mask when in high traffic areas at the event such as registration and the start line. The Lung Association will continue to closely monitor public health conditions and CDC guidelines before the event.
