Woodburn Volunteer Firefighters Climb with Purpose, Take First Place in Fundraising at Portland Firefighter Stair Climb

 On Saturday, September 13, Woodburn Volunteer Firefighters put their strength and determination to work “climbing for a cure” at the annual Portland Firefighter Stair Climb, benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The Woodburn team, led by Volunteer Firefighter/Engineer Karis Chapin, placed first out of 48 teams for raising the most money, with a total of $6,042.00. Chapin herself also ranked third among all individual fundraisers.

This year’s Woodburn team was an all-female crew of volunteer firefighters: Karis Chapin, Cielo Larios, Cierah Binder, and Emily Storm. Together, they tackled the 800-step climb—40 floors inside the US Bancorp Tower—wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and air packs. Their gear weighed more than 50 pounds, making the climb both physically demanding and symbolic of the daily challenges faced by those living with cystic fibrosis. "Climbing those 40 floors in full gear was tough, but nothing compared to the fight people with cystic fibrosis face every single day," said Firefighter Karis Chapin. "We’re proud to represent Woodburn and even prouder to contribute to finding a cure."

Across the Pacific Northwest, 48 teams competed, raising more than $80,000 in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s mission to find a cure.

About the Portland Firefighter Stair Climb

•  Hosted annually in Portland, the stair climb brings together firefighters and community members for a physically intense and inspiring challenge.

• Participants climb 40 floors (800 steps) inside the US Bancorp Tower, often while wearing firefighting gear.

• While rooted in the firefighting community, teams and individuals from all walks of life participate.

About Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

•  Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.

• More than 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 worldwide live with CF.
• Advances in research and treatments, largely supported through fundraising events like this, have doubled the life expectancy of those living with CF in the last three decades.

• The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, founded in 1955, is the world’s leader in the search for a cure. It has fueled drug development that has transformed the lives of people with CF and continues to invest in cutting-edge research and therapies.