BOISE, Idaho — Members of the Boise Fire Department will climb 1,356 steps at Camel's Back Park in full gear on Saturday. The event is part of the annual LLS Firefighter Stairclimb, which usually takes place in Seattle.
This is the 30th year the Stairclimb has taken place and over $20 million has been raised by the foundation. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
"That is the biggest part of this thing going out and doing the physical stuff is kind of like a right of passage with this climb but fundraising is the point," said Boise firefighter Richard Brown. "We want to keep people in treatment, making it through treatment and celebrating them living through this thing.”
The Boise Fire Department has participated in this event since it started, but this is the second year doing it at Camel's Back Park. This year, the Boise Firefighter Stairclimb team consists of 13 firefighters, with many others from the department and surrounding fire departments joining to climb and show their support.
The team has been spending the last few months raising money, so far they have raised $29,169 of their $30,000 goal, holding the number one position for funds raised nationwide.
Paul Jones is a Boise firefighter and his son Max has gone through more than three years of treatment, we are happy to report he is in remission.
"You realize all those nights you are stuck in the hospital and going through treatment that you really do have a community behind you," said Jones. "The climb is awesome just having this many people come out and be a part of your fight and know that you have people in your corner is a big thing."
