When their annual stair-climb event was sidelined back in March 2020, due to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic spread concerns, LION and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) didn't let that stop their event. Instead, the LLS went virtual with their annual firefighter star-climb event. The event was renamed, 'Big Virtual Climb’.
Big Virtual Climb event
On June 13th, 2020 rather than gathering at San Francisco's Salesforce Tower, where the climb was originally scheduled to take place, participants were asked to climb 1, 762 stairs (the number of steps that would've been taken to reach the top of Salesforce Tower in San Francisco) via local building, park or stadium stair cases.
Participating climbers were also given the option of walking 8, 810 steps at their favorite gym or on a hiking trail
Participating climbers were also given the option of walking 8, 810 steps at their favorite gym or on a hiking trail. Additionally, the participants were allowed to do 600 chair step-ups to complete their scheduled climbs. As in the previously undertaken climbs, full fire Protective Personal Equipment (PPE), including SCBA equipment was required to be worn by all climbers.
Raising funds for LSS charity program
Participants stepped up to the unusual challenge. This year approximately 2, 207 firefighters, from more than 350 fire departments took part, raising US$ 2.7 million in support of LLS funds’ lifesaving blood cancer research program undertaken around the world.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds program provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients globally, for seeking access to quality, affordable and coordinated medical care. Everyone who participated in this first-of-its-kind virtual climb event received a congratulatory message from the organizers, irrespective of whether it involved counting steps on a treadmill at the local gym or hiking the tallest hill in their city.