Providence - February 23, 2011
A friendly competition between Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts and Columnist Edward Fitzpatrick of The Providence Journal will unfold inside One Financial Plaza this Saturday. On February 26, 2011, they’ll climb the 58 flights of stairs inside the building as part of the American Lung Association’s third Annual Peak the Plaza event to raise money and awareness in the fight against lung disease.
The two-way challenge started when Lt. Governor Roberts sent an email out to the columnist and others urging them to join the 12-week Shape Up RI (http://shapeupri.org) program that she co-chairs. Fitzpatrick wrote an article on the Lt. Governor’s involvement in the program for The Providence Journal. He agreed to join the Shape Up RI program if the Lt. Governor would take part in the Lung Association’s Peak the Plaza event. The Lt. Governor said, “It sounded fair to me, and it's a win-win for our respective causes--not to mention our collective physical fitness.”
Fitzpatrick knows firsthand what it’s like to fight for air – he has asthma. A member of his family also battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “It’s raising money for a good cause. It’s raising awareness for causes championed by the Lung Association, like Asthma and COPD”.
Lt. Governor Roberts has been involved in healthcare issues for most of her professional career, and she says she’s no stranger to the devastating effects of lung disease. She believes that “advocacy groups such as the American Lung Association are important voices in our efforts to improve the health of all Americans. Anywhere and anytime that I am able to serve as an advocate for healthy habits and taking preventive care measures to remain healthy, I will spread the word.”
Event sponsors include Amica Insurance, LGC&D, New England Recycle Group, One Financial Plaza, WBRU 95.5, McFadden’s, BankRI, Electric Boat, Claflin Co, Adler, Pollock & Sheehan, and Advanced Medical Transport Services. McFadden’s is hosting the post-climb awards ceremony. Online registration has closed, but on-site registration will be available at the event. Check-in begins at 8am on Saturday, February 26, 2011; staggered start times begin at 9am. Funds raised at Peak the Plaza go to fight all types of lung disease right in your community, as well as help provide important lung health education and advocacy for your children, your neighbors, and you. Visit climbofyourlife.org for more information about American Lung Association stairclimb events.
The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. ALANE serves MA, CT, RI, ME, NH, VT. www.lungne.org