Each year, major cities across the U.S. play host to a fundraiser of ascending proportions. The Fight for Air Climb raises money for lung-related research, aid and advocacy by challenging people to climb thousands of stairs. On May 21, Minnesotans will climb 4,380 steps in “the best set of stairs in the Twin Cities,” at Allianz Field in St. Paul.
It will be Ken Bence’s 15th climb. As the Battalion Chief for the Golden Valley Fire Department, he takes on the added challenge of competing in full firefighter gear (that’s 65 pounds of helmet, air tank, suit and boots).
The New Hope man’s contribution to the Minnesota Fight for Air Climb has been much more than climbing steps. Since his first climb in 2008, he’s raised $75,000 for its backing organization, the American Lung Association.