VIDEO: An Oklahoma City firefighter who lost a fellow firefighter to lung cancer will participate in the American Lung Association’s outdoor Fight For Air Climb in Oklahoma to raise money for research.
Cpl. Zach Rowell has witnessed both triumph and tragedy in the battle against lung cancer. He lost a colleague to the disease, but his father survived it. Rowell is taking on the Fight for Air Climb in memory of his friend and in honor of his father, according to an American Lung Association news release.
“Looking at the stats of cancer and lung disease, firefighters are at a very high risk and are susceptible to it,” he said. “We know it’s an issue and a risk, so, we’re going to fight for progress.”
Rowell will be one of 20-25 firefighters on the Oklahoma City-Fire Rescue team of climbers, who have raised over $2,400 for the Lung Association.
“The Lung Association is the industry leader in research,” Rowell said.