Los Angeles and San Francisco, February 17, 2009 – Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles, and Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco, have launched a “mayors’ city challenge” in support of the American Lung Association in California’s annual Climb California Stair Climb fundraisers in those two cities.
The Mayors' City Challenge will determine which of the two cities hosts the most successful Climb California fundraising event.
The Stair Climbs, held at 555 California (the former Bank of America building) in San Francisco (Saturday, March 28) and the Aon Center in Los Angeles (Saturday, April 18), are a physical challenge, a competitive race, and a casual fun climb for the non-competitive athlete. Climb California also provides an opportunity to raise critical funding to help support the American Lung Association’s programs and services.
These fundraising events benefit research, education and advocacy in improving lung health and promoting clean air, while drawing a wide demographic of participants and sponsors from throughout the state to get in shape for the climb of their lives.
"San Franciscans share the critical mission of the American Lung Association of California for clean air, healthy lungs and a sustainable future. We’re committed to being the greenest and healthiest city and leader in fighting global warming. That’s why we’ll beat Los Angeles on the Climb California Challenge," said Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco.
"Los Angeles is a city of dreamers. We know how to climb high. We set our sights on a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly city, and we're seeing results. From installation of solar panels across our city's buildings, to cleaning our ports with electric trucks, to meeting ten percent of our energy needs through renewable sources -- Los Angeles is on its way to becoming the greenest big city in America," said Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles.
The Stair Climb events benefit the many programs of the American Lung Association, including its high profile fight against air pollution, tobacco, and global warming. The organization’s new tag line "Fighting for Air" emphasizes its primary commitment to environmental health.
"The American Lung Association is the leading health voice in the fight for healthy air and healthy lungs," said Trisha Murakawa, Board Chair, American Lung Association in California. "We are taking on diesel regulations, and for decades we’ve been promoting zero emission vehicles, cleaner energy and cleaner fuels to reduce air pollution and prevent lung disease."
"Everyone knows San Francisco is the greenest city in California, and no one climbs more hills than a San Franciscan," added Mayor Newsom. "So, Angelenos, we’re challenging Los Angeles to see if you can beat us up the stairs on the American Lung Association’s Climb California."
"The American Lung Association shares in this mission of clean air, healthy lungs, and a sustainable future. Let's all get in shape to climb those stairs in support of the American Lung Association!" added Villaraigosa.
"We’re thrilled that Mayor Villaraigosa and Mayor Newsom will lend their support to this challenge," added Murakawa. "It exemplifies our partnerships in making our respective communities greener and healthier. Along the way, we hope to energize our cities in a friendly competition in the spirit of past mayors' challenges during Super Bowls and other athletic events. Ultimately, we all win."
Climb California San Francisco:
The third annual Climb California in San Francisco on Saturday, March 28 will send climbers up a vertical ascent (52 flights and 1,197 stairs) to the top of 555 California, the tallest building in the city. Individuals and teams will ascend the picturesque building, culminating with a party at the top in the view-inspiring Carnelian Room, with live music, food, sponsor booths and free massage! Climbers of all ages take on the challenge, which has become the new-age "vertical" equivalent of a 5K race and fun run.
Climb California Greater LA:
The second annual Climb California Greater LA takes to the stairs in a challenge climb up 63 stories and 1,377 steps to the finish line on the helipad of the downtown's Aon Center on Saturday, April 18, and will be hosted again by Good Day LA Fox11's reporter/meteorologist Rick Dickert. In addition to the Stair Climb, the American Lung Association hosts a street party, closing Hope Street between 6th and Wilshire with food, activities, entertainment, and other celebrity guests.
At both Climbs, awards will be presented to the Top Individual Fundraiser and to the Top Female and Male Finishers in the following age categories: 12-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+. Perennial Trophies will be awarded to the Top Fundraising Team and the Fastest Team.
Register online at www.fightforairclimb.org, or call your local American Lung Association office at 1-800-LUNG-USA.
Sponsors include, for Los Angeles: Fox11, KCOP13, Jack FM, Downtown News, Captivate Network and Westwood College.
For San Francisco: Bank of America, as the event title sponsor, is joined by sponsors Genentech, Brayton Purcell, Charles Schwab, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Vornado Realty Trust, Carnelian Room, Clear Channel Radio, KOFY-TV.
About the American Lung Association
Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org
