$50 FUNDRAISING MINIMUM All participants are required to raise a minimum of $50 in order to climb, in addition to the non-refundable registration fee. Why we now have a fundraising minimum: When LLS was founded in 1949, a blood cancer diagnosis was almost always fatal. Most leukemia patients, especially children, died within 3 months. Even by the mid-1950's, when the first generation chemotherapy drugs began appearing, the disease remained a stubborn challenge. Thanks in part to innovative research funded by LLS, survival rates have doubled, tripled and even quadrupled for blood cancer patients. LLS is a driving force behind breakthroughs in treating blood cancer patients.   All donations from Big Climb help support the mission of LLS: To cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, myeloma and to help improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS supports research in the U.S., Canada and 10 other countries. In 2012, LLS awarded $2.9 million dollars in grants to the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota. Each day more than 347 LLS sponsored researchers come closer to our goal of finding a cure. Because of this, it is vital for Big Climb to maximize its participant's fundraising efforts.   THE BIG 6 WHAT? Choose your own adventure!  Participants 8 years and older are invited to sign up today for a leisurely climb or a challenging race up 48 or 95 floors. Registration fee entitles you to receive a morning of fun, entertainment, food, refreshments, timing chip, a t-shirt and the best part, knowing you are part of finding a cure! WHO? Anyone 8 years or older. WHEN? Saturday, April 18, 2015. WHERE? Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis. WHY? To find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Funds raised through Big Climb Mpls support life saving blood cancer research and help blood cancer patients live better, longer lives. HOW? Register for Big Climb MPLS and start fundraising today! Don't forget to get a little training in and climb a few flights of stairs between now and April 18.

"The U.S Stair Climbing Association, part of the newly formed Towerrunning World Association, reports that there were more than 200 races in 2012 that drew a combined 105,000 participants." -Jeff Strickler, Star Tribune, March 16, 2013 While climbing stairs, you're burning an average of 10 calories a minute! Thats 7 times more calories a minute than standing in an elevator.    "Skyscraper stair climbs are the rage with endurance athletes looking for something a step above your typical 5k run." -Jeff Strickler, Star Tribune, March 16, 2013