The feeling of helplessness may serve as a barrier in the fight against lung disease, but an investment firm in Troy is planning to overcome this battle by participating in the American Lung
Association’s Fight for Air Climb.
The event, which helps with developing and funding for the prevention, detection and treatment of lung disease, will take place Sunday, March 3 at the Detroit Renaissance Center.
Leon LaBrecque’s firm LJPR, LLC will be participating in the full climb at the event for the first time. The challenge will be to climb up 70 flights of stairs.
LaBrecque’s team, Guns & Hoses, is determined to raise $500 to help fight the disease that claims 160,000 lives per year in the United States.
In preparation, LaBreque and his team members are setting a goal to work out three times per week. They feel that events such as the Fight for Air Climb are important because they help raise awareness about lung disease and help provide funding for its prevention.
“I can’t help a person who already has lung cancer,” LaBreque said. “But I can help prevent lung cancer for those who don’t already have it.”
LaBreque feels that people should take the opportunity to be proactive because it is important to help others.
“With every breath we take, we must remember that there are people out there who are struggling to breathe,” LaBrecque said.
Other competing teams for this cause that are ranked highest for fundraising to date include the Livonia Firefighters Union with $3,003 so far; Solar Stair Stars with $2,765; Social Climbers with $2,210; Step Up with TIMFIT which has $2,016 so far; and The Blues Climbatize with $1,780 to date.
