Climb. Conquer. Cure.

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

Friends & Family,

I will be participating in the LLS Firefighter Stairclimb on Sunday, March 12th, in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington. We compete in full structure gear and it is currently the world’s largest on-air competition climbing 69 flights of stairs, 1,356 steps, and 788 ft. of vertical elevation gain.

This will be my third year as a CA Region LLS Ambassador and my fifth year climbing. LLS Ambassadors support the LLS staff, meet monthly to discuss the event logistics, and help other teams meet their goals. If you have any questions in regards to the climb, travel, fundraising, etc. please reach out to me!

Please support me with a donation by clicking the Donate Now button at the top of the page. Our efforts will help make a big difference in the fight against blood cancers. Thank you so much!

If you are willing to donate and personally know someone affected, send me your favorite photo of them and I will bring it up with me to the top of the Columbia Center. Email me personally at daniel.kono714@gmail.com.

Thanks again!

Daniel Kono
Team Captain (San Jose Fire Department)
LLS CA Region Ambassador 

A few very close family members have been affected by Leukemia & Lymphoma and I will be honoring the following:

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Martin, who lost his three-year battle with job-related cancer in July 2015. He spent the majority of his career with the Fremont Fire Department and climbed the ranks to Deputy Fire Chief. Jimmy left a memory on everyone that knew him and is very well-respected.  He is one of the reasons why I decided to pursue a career in the fire service. 

Daniel Yoshiaki Kono, who passed away from Leukemia in January 1965, just a few months after my father, Kevin Kono, was born. I was given his name to continue the life he never was able to live.

Palma Christman, my grandma, is a survivor of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma for 20 years. She was diagnosed in 1997, completed treatment in one year, and since then, has fortunately remained in remission. My grandma continues to live a strong and healthy life in San Jose, CA. 

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 $20 million thus far.

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