Contributed by Laurie Green, Campus Librarian
They walk for the more than 35 million Americans who suffer from lung disease. They walk for those who have difficulty breathing or can’t breathe on their own. They walk because more people die from air pollution than from car accidents. They walk because our children deserve to breathe clean and healthy air.*
Top row L to R: Barb McMillon (Chawnteé’s mother), Mariyah Moore (Chawnteé’s daughter), Darren Hardin (Chawnteé’s boyfriend). Bottom row L to R: Marquise Moore (Chawnteé’s son), Chawnteé Harris (Medical Assisting student) and Laurie Green (Remington Racers Team Captain and Librarian at Cleveland East Campus).
These are just some of the reasons that people raise funds for, and participate in, the Fight for Air Walk, sponsored by the American Lung Association.®
Cleveland Campus Participants and Funds Raised
On May 19, 2012, our Remington Racers from the Cleveland East Campus walked for the second year in a row.
Marquise Moore climbing up the wall.
Our group of walkers consisted of Medical Assisting student Chawnteé Harris, her mother, Barb McMillon, her daughter, Mariyah Moore, her son, Marquise Moore, and her boyfriend, Darren Hardin. Also walking was Laurie Green, Remington Racers Team Captain and Cleveland Campus Librarian.
Our Remington Racers at Cleveland East raised $826.73 for the American Lung Association in Ohio, with several of our racers meeting their individual fundraising goals.
Fight for Air Walk at Cleveland
The event began at the spacious Jacobs Pavilion, on the west bank in an area called “The Flats,” which surrounds the Cuyahoga River. The walkers were given breakfast, participated in pre-event activities, and perused informational booths.
Mariyah Moore slowly descending from her climb.
Soon after, they began their walk and crossed one of the unique bridges that span the river. As they made their way to the east bank, the group decided to do the longer three-mile walk. Then came their toughest challenge: taking the 500-foot walk up a steep hill into downtown Cleveland.
Never Take One Breath for Granted
Chawnteé Harris and the rest of her family suffer from asthma, one of the reasons they participated. When the group reached the top of the hill, Chawnteé found herself in dire need of her inhaler. Her son, Marquise, had the inhaler in his fanny pack but was a bit ahead of Chawnteé, with his sister and grandmother. Luckily, Chawnteé’s boyfriend is a runner, so he ran ahead to get the inhaler. Moments later, Marquise had raced back to assist his mother, and after using the inhaler, she was fine.
- Jungle Terry’s tortoise enjoying his momentary freedom.
Entertainment and Prizes
After the walk and to the delight of the crowd, local entertainer “Jungle Terry” brought several reptiles for the group to enjoy, including a baby alligator, a tortoise, and a very large snake. Both before and after the walk, many participating children also enjoyed a climbing wall, sponsored by the National Guard.
Two prizes were also given to encourage donations, and one of the big winners was Chawnteé’s friend, who won a night’s stay for two at the downtown Marriott, two Sunday brunches on the Nautica Queen (a ship that hosts different events on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie), and two tickets for admission to the brand new Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
For more information about the Fight for Air Walk and to learn about fundraising events and educational programs in your area, visit http://www.lung.org/associations/.
* http://www.lung.org/pledge-events/oh/cleveland-walk-fy12/
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