National Take the Stairs Day has a new Challenge: The JLL at Tower Two-Sixty Building!

People across Pittsburgh will be ditching their morning elevator ride on January 10, 2018 and taking the stairs in honor of National Take the Stairs Day, reminding us all that a healthy lifestyle can happen one step at a time. This year the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania gives Pittsburgh residents with a new challenge: the JLL at Tower Two-Sixty building!

On Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. hundreds of American Lung Association supporters will scale more than 36 floors – that's 665 steps up the JLL at Tower Two-Sixty building located at 260 Forbes Ave. #1200, as part of Fight For Air Climb – Pittsburgh. This unique event brings together friends, family and colleagues in honor of loved ones living with lung disease, such as asthma and lung cancer, to raise funds for clean air and lung disease research, education and advocacy.

"We are excited to have JLL Center host the 12th annual Fight For Air Climb, and bring attention to the efforts of the American Lung Association. National Take the Stairs Day is a unique opportunity for our tenants to kick start their new year with a fun, physical challenge in their own office," said Lucas Piatt, President and COO of Millcraft.

To kick off the Fight For Air Climb season and celebrate National Take the Stairs Day, the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania is encouraging Pittsburgh residents to take the stairs. The local office is also hosting a special kickoff celebration on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 between 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. at Revel and Roost located on 242 Forbes Avenue. Lung Association staff will be on site to assist individuals in registering for the event. Climbers are also going to be able to take a sneak peek of a portion of the stairwell that they will be climbing in April. Light snacks and a cash bar will be available for individuals. For attendees who would like to purchase a full dinner, the dining room on the first floor of Revel and Roost will be open (separate from the Kickoff Celebration) serving food.

"Breathing should not be an uphill battle, but for many it is," said Deborah P. Brown, Executive Vice President, American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic. "The Fight For Air Climb is an exhilarating experience for running and fitness enthusiasts, but also a humble reminder that no one should have to fight for air on a daily basis."

More than 372,600 people suffer from chronic lung disease in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton area, and the Lung Association’s annual Fight For Air Climb in Pittsburgh has been raising awareness for lung education and advocacy for 11 years. Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Chief Darryl Jones is the 2018 Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh event chair and WTAE’s Andrew Stockey, will be Master of Ceremonies for the 12th year.

Fire fighters will also be showing their support at the end of the event by climbing the 665 steps in full firefighter gear – helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, boots and air pack – weighing over 45 pounds. Firefighters have an increased risk for lung disease from the exposure to gases, chemicals, and smoke in the line of duty.

Fight For Air Climb Registration is $25, or $15 early registration before January 10, 2018 and includes a $100 fundraising minimum. For more information or to register, contact [email protected] or 412-430-3062, or visit www.FightForAirClimb.org . For media interested in scheduling interviews or to obtain broll, contact American Lung Association in Pennsylvania Communications Director Ewa Dworakowski at 717-971-1123 or [email protected].

The Pittsburgh 2018 Fight For Air Climb is sponsored by Milcraft, JLL, and Emerson. A special thank you to our venue sponsors JLL at Tower Two-Sixty and Millcraft.