Clinton Resident Participates in Lung Association's Fourth Annual Fight for Air Climb in New Haven

By Ebony Walmsley, Special to the Clinton Patch

When Barbara Corcoran of Clinton Connecticut prepares to climb the 32 flights of stairs for the Fight for Air Climb: New Haven, she holds on to the memory of her mother, Talbina “Tilly” Benavides who passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or “COPD.”

“The American Lung Association is pleased to be returning to the 360 State Street building,” said Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “Our Fight for Air Climbs not only provide a unique experience for participants and volunteers, they remind people why maintaining healthy lungs is so important and why proper funding is needed to help individuals like Barbara’s mother. We would like to thank Barbara for her dedication to spreading the Lung Association’s mission.,” Seyler said.

Corcoran will participate in the American Lung Association’s fourth annual Fight for Air Climb: New Haven on Saturday, February 28 at 360 State Street. Fight for Air Climbs are the American Lung Association’s most unique fundraisers. Climbs take place in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve walking, running or racing up hundreds of steps. Sometimes called a “vertical road race,” teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, as a race, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends.

“My mom had terrible issues with her breathing when she had COPD,” said Corcoran. “After watching her go through that, I wanted to find a way to help other people with the same disease. That’s what drives me.,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran said many people in her family battled with a smoking addiction, along with her mother. “They’re from a different generation where a lot of people smoked for many years without thinking of how harmful it is for you,” Corcoran said.

While Corcoran was hesitant to do the climb last year, this year she is determined to climb and is preparing to beat her time by keeping it under seven minutes. The average finish time for the Fight for Air Climb in New Haven last year was six minutes and 56 seconds. “I really think everyone should get involved in this event and if you’re having doubts or feel like you can’t complete this, know that it’s attainable,” Corcoran said.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the first climber will start at 9 a.m. To find out more or register for the Fight for Air Climb: New Haven visit www.fightforairclimb.org or contact Danielle Ferrari, Event Manager at NewHavenClimb@LungNE.org or 860.838.4371.

The Fight for Air Climb: New Haven is proudly sponsored by Elm City Market, O’Tooles Irish Pub & Restaurant, Poland Springs, Telemundo, Channel 3, Yale-New Haven Hospital, 360 Street, AMP Radio Network and Radio 104.1 WMRQ.

About the American Lung Association of the Northeast

The American Lung Association of the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. We are part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. www.LungNE.org