On Sunday, a team of Burnaby firefighters will be participating for the 11th time in the BC Lung Association’s 18th annual Climb the Wall event – a stair climb fundraiser held at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in support of the one in five British Columbians who struggle with lung conditions.
“The BC Lung Association’s Climb the Wall is a rare event in that it allows us all to come together as a firefighting community to support a worthwhile cause,” said Burnaby firefighter John Clune. “My colleague, Captain Brad Maars, got our team started over a decade ago andmore recently Noel Nacauili, Dylan McIntosh and I took over the lead and are committed to staying involved.”
While it might be the 11th time, this one is different for the Burnaby firefighters.
“Thisyear is particularly meaningful for us,” said Clune. “One of our own – senior captain Ken Kinney – is fighting lung cancer.”
The fact that Kinney has lung cancer is shocking to McIntosh.
“Ken never smoked. He’s always been a really healthy, fit guy, a big family guy, a champion ice and ball hockey player and coach. It’s crazy to think that at age 56, he’s battling for his life. But if anyone can beat the odds – it’s Ken.” said McIntosh.
Clune anticipates as many as 30 or more Burnaby firefighting colleagues and friends to show up in support Sunday – including Kinney and members of his family. In his honour, the team has made t-shirts emblazoned with a customized logo of Kinney’s nickname Tinman.
“Ken - aka Tinman - is well-loved. We really miss him not being around as much. Ken’s super sharp, always making jokes, and known for giving the best nicknames. They’re complicated and hilarious. It’s a badge of honour if you got a nickname from Tinman,” said Nacauili.
A year into his battle against lung cancer, Kinney continues to keep as fit as possible, clocking as many as four kilometres walking and running on good days.
He said, “As firefighters, we know first-hand what it feels like to struggle to breathe, and how important it is to take steps to safeguard our health. But while we take precautions and wear special gear to protect ourselves, each fire exposes us to a mix of toxic gases, chemicals, particulate and other substancesthat can contribute to firefighters’ increased risk of respiratory disease and cancer. That said, I’ve no regrets whatsoever. I love my job. I’m proud of the work we do, and I sure do miss being around the guys.”
“Over the past 11 years, Burnaby firefighters have raised well over $31,000 in support of vital lung health research, education and patient support programs – they’re consistently amongst our top fundraisers,” said Christopher Lam, CEO of the BC Lung Association. “We’re extraordinarily grateful for their continuing support. One in five British Columbians struggle with chronic lung disease – including asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. For many affected, climbing just one flight of stairs is difficult – no one understands this better than firefighters who in the line of duty are called upon to navigate their way up stairs and through smoky buildings at a moment’s notice,” continued Lam.
To make an online donation in support of the Burnaby Firefighters Team (and Ken Kinney) go here and search on the team name Burnaby Firefighters or call the BC Lung Association at 1.800.665.5864.
EVENT INFO
- Climb the Wall is an annual BC Lung Association stair climb fundraiser
- Participants must run/walk 48-storeys to the top of the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel.
- BC firefighters compete for best climb times in full turnout gear (75+ pounds worth of gear)
- To participate, each climber must fundraise a minimum of $125.
- Some climb solo, others as a team. All unite in support of the 1 in 5 Canadians with lung conditions.
- All proceeds fund vital lung research, education, patient support and advocacy programs.
FAST FACTS
- Over 320 participants registered, including 120 BC firefighters
- 2018 participants range in age from 7 to 80 years of age.
- Over past the 18 years, event has raised over $1,600,000
- Record for fastest stair climb time = 4:17 minutes, average time = 10 to 15 minutes
