The American Lung Association of California takes an integrated approach to preventing lung disease and promoting lung health through advocacy, education and research. The Lung Association is the only organization in California that helps people and communities improve lung health while working to create public policies that attack the causes of lung disease.

As one of the leading environmental health advocates, The American Lung Association fights for commonsense policies to reduce both indoor and outdoor air pollution, address urgent public health issues like the asthma epidemic and spread of tuberculosis, and against the predatory tactics of Big Tobacco. As experts in lung health, The Association offers education and support services to help people with lung disease live quality lives and prevent others from ever getting it.

Every year the Lung Association sponsors the “Climb California Race".  The race is a “vertical road race” is used by participants as a fitness target, a competitive race, an effort to support clean air and healthy lungs, or simply as a great way to have fun being part of something brand new.

Last year five Menlo Park Firefighter Association Members participated in this race.  These members were lead by Firefighter Joey Figone and they raised enough money to participate in the event with the aid of the Menlo Park Firefighter Association.

Our five Association Members, Menlo Park Firefighters, Joey Figone, Chris Dennebaum, Seth Johnson, Jeff Hendrix and Andrew Murtagh all met at 555 California and checked in at the old Bank of America building.  The building had 55 floors of climbing which came out to 1197 stairs.   

In the end our Association received top honors in the 30-39 age group as well as the 20-29 age group.  Overall our five members ranked in the top 43 out of 875 climbers.  The Menlo Park Firefighters’ Association may have won the team competition as well. It was a good time had by all.  Our members plan on attending the race once again on March 28th, 2009.