Local Champion Raises $75K for Lung Health, Spotlighted in 2022 Firefighter Calendar

Battalion Chief Ken Bence from Golden Valley, MN has participated in the American Lung Association in Minnesota’s Fight For Air Climb a whopping 14 times, and in total raised over $75,000. Now, the local firefighter is being honored for his extraordinary efforts to help end 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 Fight For Air Climbs’ top supporters who participate in a yearly event held in over 40 cities across the country.

“As a paid-on-call firefighter, I love participating in the Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb year after year because I can raise awareness and money for those who suffer from lung disease. Unfortunately, many firefighters are at increased risk due to exposure to gases, chemicals and smoke,” Bence said. “I’m grateful that the Lung Association’s calendar helps support lung health for all firefighters, whether full-time, volunteer, or somewhere in between.”

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 Ken 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 Mindee Kastelic, Chairwoman of the Lung Association’s Local Leadership Board. “We are amazed by their daily sacrifice and are honored that Ken, 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 Bence, contact Dana Kauffman at the Lung Association at 312-940-7624 or [email protected].