2nd Annual Stadium Step Up Raises Funds and Awareness for Lung Disease Research, Advocacy and Awareness

The American Lung Association’s second annual Stadium Step Up took place Saturday at historic Brown Stadium in Providence, attracting over 100 people and raising more than $6,000 for lung disease research, advocacy and awareness. As one of several vertical road races led by the American Lung Association, the Stadium Step Up had participants ranging from health professionals to lung disease victims to local athletes climbing through the stadium’s grandstand, testing their fitness level and lung capacity.

Participants included Mansfield resident Nicole Reynolds, who lost her father to lung cancer in October 2015. She vowed to keep his memory alive and honor his legacy by fighting back against the disease that took him. Reynolds said, “My dad never let anything get in his way, and always tried to live life to the fullest,” Nicole remarked. “I know that when I ran up the steps of that stadium he was with me, cheering me on. Cancer may have taken him from me, but that doesn’t mean we stop fighting.”

Other participants included Eric Estrada, a firefighter from North Providence, and Stephen Marsalese from Rye Brook, New York, who received the Top Climber Award for completing 21 laps – nearly 10,500 steps - during the Power House Division.

The 2017 Stadium Step Up offered participants 4 different challenges to choose from, ranging in difficulty and length, including: Base Camp Division, designed for kids and families; Ascent Division, a 15-minute continuous run; Summit Division, a 30-minute run for those looking for a fitness challenge; and Power Hour Division, a 60-minute competitive run, during which the number of laps completed by each participant was recorded. Each lap consists of just under 500 steps (both up and down the grandstand).

This event is a fresh twist on the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb events which 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 participated to reach a fitness target, to challenge themselves in a unique race, to be active and meet new friends, and most importantly, to support the lifesaving mission of the American Lung Association.

The Stadium Step Up Event served as a training opportunity for those planning to participate in the 2018 Fight for Air Climb at the Omni Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island next March.

The morning included music, exhibitors, lunch provided by Union Station Brewery, lawn games and raffle prizes. Sponsors included MetLife Auto & Home, Union Station Brewery, B101, iHeartMedia, Absolute Respiratory Care, Home Point Financial and DEE JAYS ETC. Exhibitors in attendance included 212 Health & Performance, Dave & Buster’s, Herbalife, Hint Water, Massage Envy and a rock wall provided by the Rhode Island Army National Guard.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.