JOYCE — Several Clallam County firefighters have banded together into The Brotherhood, a team that will compete in the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge 2016 in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 25.
On the team roster are Denis Claes, Donovan Christie and Vashina Donnell of Fire District No. 4 in Joyce and Mike and Zachery McAneny of Fire District 3 in Sequim.
Since 2009, the annual Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge pits climbers against each other as they compete to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by racing up the 40 floors and 800 steps of the U.S. Bancorp Tower, also known as the “Big Pink,” at 111 S.W. Fifth Ave.
Firefighters are outfitted in more than 70 pounds of full gear including the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) commonly used in the line of duty.
Racers compete for individual titles in both men and women categories.
In 2014, CF Climb raised nearly $2 million to help support life-saving research, care and education programs, according to officials.
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system.
It affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in people with cystic fibrosis, a defective gene causes the secretions to become thick and sticky.
Instead of acting as a lubricant, the secretions plug up tubes, ducts and passageways, especially in the lungs and pancreas.
Although cystic fibrosis requires daily care, people with the condition are able to attend school and work, and have a better quality of life than in previous decades.
Improvements in screening and treatments mean most people with cystic fibrosis now live into their 20s and 30s, and some are living into their 40s and 50s.
Donations in the name of The Brotherhood can be made at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-brotherhood.
