Cleveland Mom, Two School-aged Sons to Stair Climb Key Tower in Memory of Grandparents, for Lung Health 

Danielle Kresak’s grandparents both died from lung cancer before she was 10 years old. She was very close to them and the experience impacted her for the rest of her life. So she vowed to always honor their memory.

That’s why this is her 10th year participating in the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb (March 3 at Key Tower), which raises awareness and funding for life-saving lung disease research. And her sons have joined the effort.

“The combination of losing my grandparents to lung cancer, and now having kids, really makes this effort extra special to me,” said Kresak. 

Her climb team is called, “You’ve Got Nycz Lungs.” In honor of her grandparents’ last name, Nycz. She says her kids provide the motivation to keep participating in this event to support research.

“I think research is critical. If something were to affect my kids, the way it affected my grandparents, research will help find new treatments, new medicines and a cure for lung disease,” she said. “I also want to help others who are suffering from painful lung diseases and going through difficult times.”

She’s raised thousands of dollars over the years and isn’t stopping anytime soon. She enjoys every aspect of the event and looks forward to it every year. 

“It’s great seeing everyone do it. It feels like a great sense of accomplishment when you get to the top. It’s inspiring to see all the different kinds of people and different ages participating. Especially seeing all the firefighters with their heavy gear and tanks stair climb. That’s just a whole other level. It’s just an overall inspiring motivating event and truly special to share with my family,” said Kresak. 

The Fight For Air Climb, in it’s 14th year, is now a Cleveland tradition and takes place on March 3 at Key Tower. This is it’s first year back at Key Tower since pre-COVID-19. Registration is still open. Visit FightForAirClimb.org/Cleveland for more information.