The world’s largest individual firefighting competition takes place this Sunday in Seattle, Wash., and while it gives those who take part a chance to claim bragging rights, it does something far more important. The 18th Annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb is a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and since its inception in 1992, the climb and the firefighters who have taken part have raised over $2.1 million for research and those striken with the blood cancers. Just reading about the logistics of the climb makes my calves and quads ache. The event is held in Seattle’s Columbia Center, second-tallest building west of the Mississippi (and tallest by floor), where competitors will scale 69 floors — 1,311 steps — encompassing a vertical gain of 788 feet (that’s about a quarter of a mile, straight up). The winner last year did it in a time of 11 minutes and 37 seconds. Oh, and did I mention that each man or woman is decked out in about 50 pounds of firefighting gear, including facemask and self-contained breathing apparatus? This year, the event’s site notes that they are “sold out” at 1,500 participants, and the Seattle Times reports that competitors from 25 states, three provinces and Germany and New Zealand and ranging in age from 18 to 60 will take part. Departments vie for fastest individual and team times but also to raise the most funds. They do so through their own community-based fundraising campaigns and by soliciting pledges. Many of those making the climb will carry with them stories of individuals they know personally, some even family members, touched by leukemia or lymphoma. Most will, in fact, have the pictures of those they are climbing for taped to their helmets or coats and say that keeping them in mind through the grueling experience makes it a little easier to climb through the pain. Arriving at the finish line at the tower’s observation deck on the 73rd floor, they will know they have not just conquered a personal test of endurance but provided a gift to those facing a far different challenge as well. On March 22 of this year, plain old mortals (without all the firefighting gear) may also take on the Columbia Center climb for the same great cause. While I don’t see myself ever actually climbing all those steps, I will certainly be supporting with pledges those who do. If you’re curious as to whether your hometown firefighters are taking part in the climb, you can see the race results starting at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8. Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader