Overland Park Woman Climbs to Honor Late Father

For Overland Park resident Stephanie Krusich the Kansas City Fight for Air Climb is more than just a fundraiser, it’s a commitment to fighting for a better future. The family-friendly event, locally presented by Empower, is coming up on March 3 and will be back in the building at One Kansas City Place.

Like many other climbers, Krusich has an important personal connection to the cause. Her father, Steve Brown, passed away just eight weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She came across the Fight For Air Climb while looking for ways to increase awareness about lung disease.  

“We didn’t know anything about lung cancer up until that point,” said Krusich. “With this disease, early detection is a huge factor in increasing someone’s chance of survival. That’s why it was so important to me to find events that help with increasing awareness.”

Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Often, symptoms do not appear until the cancer has spread. More than 374,000 people in Kansas and more than 818,000 people in Missouri are living with lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases. Funds raised by Krusich and other climbers will go to education initiatives and research programs that include lung cancer screenings.

Krusich will be climbing with a team of family and friends, under the name “Team Brownie” to honor her late father. She and other climbers will climb 42 floors and more than 900 stairs. The event will be physically demanding, but Krusich embraces the challenge.

“One of the reasons why this event is one of my favorites is that the way you feel when climbing stairs mimics the symptoms of lung disease,” remarked Krusich. “The climb gives you a feeling that a lot of folks must endure daily. It really puts into perspective the difficult reality of living with lung disease.”

Stephanie Krusich is available for interviews about the Climb, and you can contact Janye Killelea for requests at [email protected] or by phone at 312-940-7624.

Get involved and help the mission of American Lung Association. You can learn more about the Fight For Air Climb in Kansas City on March 3 at KCClimb.org