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A Record Number BC Stair Climbers Participate in the BC Lung Association's
Clean Air Event
Vancouver, BC - February 20, 2007 - An unprecedented number of British
Columbians stair climbed to the top of Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel,
the tallest staircase in downtown Vancouver, this past Sunday morning for a
BC Lung Association fundraiser.
Climb the Wall: The Stairclimb for Clean Air saw more than 600 participants
scale the 48 floors of the downtown Vancouver landmark in the name of lung
health and clean air - a record for the six year old fundraising event.
Last year's event raised $127,000 but organizer Jessa Blades expects this
year's total to far exceed that number. The current overall fundraising
total is $145,000 and donations are expected to continue flowing in until
the fundraising deadline of March 16, 2007.
"The sheer number of participants taking part this year, their enthusiasm,
and their commitment to clean air is really inspiring," said the Lung
Association's Jessa Blades, organizer for the event. "It says a lot about
the values of British Columbians."
The event played out against a backdrop of rising concern for air quality in
the province, which is impacted by a wide range of factors, including
industry, automobile emissions, and wood smoke. Recent research findings
show that air quality continues to have negative health impacts for people,
even when standards are met.
"Nothing is more important to our lung health than the quality of the air we
breathe," said Scott McDonald, Executive Director of the British Columbia
Lung Association. "The Stairclimb for Clean Air is not only a key fundraiser
for the Lung Association's vital lung health programs, but it raises
awareness of clean air issues across the province."
Air quality in BC may be good compared to many areas of North America, but
existing pollution levels are nevertheless a health concern to British
Columbians, confirms the second annual BC State of the Air Report, a
collaboration between the BC Lung Association and government environmental
and health agencies.
"More needs to be done to protect the public. By providing trusted
information that clearly exposes the risks to health created by air
pollution we hope to encourage communities and government agencies to
strengthen their commitment to improving air quality and adopt tougher
measures aimed at reducing it," added McDonald.
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For more information, please contact:
Scott McDonald, Executive Director, BC Lung Association
T 604.731.5864, or 1.800.665.LUNG (5864)
Katrina van Bylandt, Communications Manager, BC Lung Association
T 604. 731.5864, or 1.800.665.LUNG (5864)