Last Wednesday, the American Lung Association in Florida recognized Pasco County Fire Rescue with the Top Fundraising Firefighter Company Trophy at an award ceremony. The award is given to the firefighter company that raises the most funds during the Fight For Air Climb Tampa, a premier stair-climbing fundraiser by the Lung Association. This marks the first time Pasco County has received this top fundraising honor.
"We are incredibly grateful for Pasco County Fire Rescue’s support and dedication to lung health and our community," said Beth Ash, chair of the Lung Association’s Gulf Coast Florida Board and operations manager, Corporate Accounts, at Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Thanks to the efforts of these everyday heroes, we can help build a future with clean air and healthy lungs for all. This award is well deserved. Congratulations!"
Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Tony Perez added, "As firefighters and first responders, it’s our duty to save lives and protect our community. Our team’s participation in the Fight For Air Climb Tampa is an extension of that commitment, and I’m proud so many of our firefighters heeded the call."
The Pasco County team competed against 13 other Tampa Bay area firefighter teams in the firefighter division of the Lung Association’s 19th annual Fight For Air Climb Tampa on April 6. Twenty-five team members climbed in full turnout gear to the top of Bank of America Plaza, Tampa’s second-tallest skyscraper. The team raised nearly $10,000 to support the Lung Association’s lifesaving research, programming and advocacy for over 2.7 million people in Florida living with lung disease.
"Lung health and air quality are especially important for firefighters and first responders—the nature of our work puts us at a higher risk for developing lung disease," Chief Perez noted further. "The Lung Association’s work is critical to us, our families and our community."
The Fight For Air Climb Tampa attracted more than 600 participants and raised over $171,000 for the Lung Association’s mission. For more information about the event and to support the American Lung Association mission to save lives, visit ClimbTampa.org. Information about firefighters and lung health, including ways to reduce risk and early warning signs of lung disease, can be found at Lung.org.
Raymond James served as the Signature Sponsor for the Fight For Air Tampa. Other local sponsors included Moffitt Cancer Center, LEAD Staffing, Kindred Hospital, Sunshine Health, Tobacco Free Coalition of Pinellas County, WestCMR, Florida Department of Health, 4DMedical, Go 2 Print Now and Lake Marketing Solutions. National corporate team partners were Kindred Hospitals and Raymond James.
