The training has already begun for ten Marysville firefighters who have pledged to participate in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb up the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle on March 11. As a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the firefighters will run up 69 flights of stairs in full fire gear and breathing tanks (SCBA).

"While we welcome the physical challenge, we are doing this to fight blood cancers," said Marysville firefighter and team captain Keoni Brown. "All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and provide the hope of a better day for many individuals."

In addition to Brown, the participating Local 3219 firefighters are Joe Ballif, Krista Longspaugh, Capt. Chad Hale, Ryan Swobody, Jacob Kuehn, Grant Elsworth, Chris Harrott, Cody Hamblin, and Ricky Williamson.

"This event has special meaning to our department because we lost one of our own on 9/11/2001, the same exact day that FDNY lost 343 firefighters to the terrorist attacks on our nation and the World Trade Centers," said Brown.

Lt. Jeffrey Thornton, also known as "Fireman Jeff," succumbed to his battle with cancer on that fateful day.

"Jeff was always ready to help a good cause," Brown continued. "In fact, he was among just a handful of firefighters who took up the challenge of the first annual Firefighter Stairclimb for Leukemia back in March of 1992."

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Marysville Fire District Local 3219's Stairclimb Team, visit http://tinyurl.com/78jgdst.

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