Climb. Conquer. Cure.

69 Flights I 1,356 Steps I 788 Ft. Vertical Elevation

Great news from the Parker Family! This December Elizabeth Schimmels Parker saw her oncologist for the very last time. Five years out from finishing chemo, there is no evidence of disease and she is considered OFFICIALLY CURED! 

I am so blessed to be married to such a strong and powerful woman. The days of her diagnosis and treatment were some of the worst of my life but the next 5 years of follow up appointments and waiting for the other shoe to drop also had their own difficulties. This feels like the end of a scary chapter in our lives, and I am grateful every single second to have my wife safe and healthy by my side for many many many many more years. 

To celebrate my superhero survivor of a wife, I am kicking off my campaign to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Firefighter Stairclimb. This is my 6th year raising funds for blood cancer research and patient support. Throughout treatment we met many individuals that were receiving funds and support from the LLS. One man we met shared that support from the LLS had helped him and his family keep their house. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think cancer patients should have to worry about keeping a roof over their head and feeding their kids while they’re fighting for their lives. In addition to directly supporting patients struggling to make ends meet, the LLS has helped fund 85% of blood cancer treatments approved by the FDA since 2017. 

If you feel like celebrating with us, please consider making a donation to my campaign for this year’s stairclimb. Your donation is 100% tax deductible and 100% of money raised directly benefits the LLS. 

What is the LLS Firefighter Stairclimb?

The LLS Firefighter Stairclimb is the world's largest on-air stair climb competition, and annual fundraiser held at the tallest building in town, the Columbia Center. All 2,000 participants are career, volunteer, or retired firefighters who will climb up the second tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi in full turnout gear, weighing over 60 pounds, while on-air. Throughout this grueling course, we all remember that every step forward is representative of moving closer to a cure. Although this is an extreme test of physical endurance, it pales in comparison to what blood cancer patients endure. All proceeds raised directly benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and since its inception in 1991, this event has raised over $22 million thus far.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and sincere generosity in this cause worth climbing for.