Boston’s Fenway Park Holds “Fight For Air Climb” For First Time

For the first time ever, the annual fundraiser known as the Fight For Air Climb was held at Boston's Fenway Park.

WHDH/7 News Boston reports this past Saturday, dozens of people ran the stadium's steps in an effort to raise money for lung cancer research and also COVID-19 research. This year the event was sponsored by the American Lung Association.

The Fight For Air Climb raises money that supports research and education for lung diseases, lung cancer, and COVID-19.

The Fight For Air Climb was held on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and was a combination of an in-person event and a virtual climb due to the pandemic. In-person participants were required to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and wear a mask if they have not been fully vaccinated.

Lung disease can affect respiratory function, or the ability to breathe, and pulmonary function, which is how well lungs work. There are many different kinds of lung disease. Some are caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Others are associated with environmental factors, including asthma, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Environmental factors that are linked to lung disease include cigarette smoking, asbestos, radon gas, air pollution, and chemicals. Breathing secondhand smoke can also increase a person's chance of developing lung disease.

The fundraising goal for this year is approximately $200,000. At last check, the total raised so far was around $150,000. Hopefully, that number will increase.

For more on the story, check out WHDH's website here.