Oregon Firefighters Climb for a Cure

October 14, 2009

Battalion 4 moves to the starting line in the basement of the U.S. Bancorp Tower in Portland, Ore.

The first-year event attracted more than 500 people to watch firefighters from cities as far as Baltimore, Md., participate in this stair climb challenge, which raised more than $52,000 to support the search for a cure.

Dressed in full gear, participants raced up the 40 floors – over 800 steps – of the U.S. Bancorp Tower located in downtown Portland.

After crossing the finish line, the climbers joined their family and friends at the “Survivor Party” hosted by Kells Irish Pub to celebrate their efforts.

Event Chair Wes Loucks and grandson Carson Otterson gear up for the Oregon Chapter's Climb for a Cure.

Special thanks to Wes Loucks, retired Portland firefighter of 32 years and grandfather to Carson (17 months) and Brandon Otterson (4 months), who served as Event Chair, and Presenting Sponsors Leatherman Tools and Portland Firefighter Union Local 43.

Thanks also to:

• United Firehouse
• Exercise Equipment NW
• Novartis
• Comcast
• Kells Irish Pub
• Latus Harley Davidson
• Azumano Travel
• Unico Properties
• Konell Construction
• Cowlitz County Fire & Rescue

Key volunteers

Todd Murphy & Mick Estes - Unico Properties
Micah Shelton - Salem FD and Founder of United Firehouse
Portland and Fire Rescue
Becky Nerpl, Studio 623 Photography

Top Individual Fundraiser - James Loucks
Top Fundraising Department - Clark County Fire and Rescue

Overall Fastest Female Participant - Christine Pezzulo, Portland Fire & Rescue
Overall Fastest Male Participant - Charlie Schmidt, Vancouver Fire Department