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Waverly Family Fights For A Cure
Lung disease kills thousands of people every year. Organizations like the American Lung Association hold events throughout the year to help raise money and support for the fight against one of the leading causes of death. This weekend in Springfield, people are climbing for the fight against lung disease in the American Lung Association's 4th Annual Fight for Air Climb at the downtown Hilton. Among them is a young boy from Waverly. Here's his story.
It all started 10 months ago. That's when Tucker Brown was born. Tucker was born with serious heart defects, which lead to even greater illnesses that went straight to his lungs.
After Tucker was born, the Brown family's lives changed forever.
"In the last year he has had two open heart surgeries, a cath procedure, a lot of doctors appointments," mother Letitia Brown said. "So the February of this year we wanted to do something positive and kind of erase those bad memories of last February when everything changed."
The Brown family decided to participate in the Fight For Air Climb, which is sponsored by the American Lung Association, in an effort to raise funds towards more research to put a stop to lung disease.
"It's the number one killer for children, and we have several of participants who are climbing in honor and in memory of people on Saturday," Sarah Tapscott of the American Lung Association said. "Whether it's a lost grandmother, maybe it's a co-worker that they know, maybe they are climbing because they have been affected by it personally."
The Brown family created Team Tucker and decided to spread the awareness to Waverly Elementary School, where about 100 students participated in a climb of their own, showing support for their classmate's little brother.
"Each student had to pay $2 and then the PAWS organization matched that $2 with all of the money going to Team Tucker and the American Lung Association," Brown said. "And then the kids had to go up and down the bleacher steps 32 times to mimick going to the top of the Hilton."
Brown said this is just the first step.
"Climbing to the top of the mountain seems insurmountable, and so you take it one step at a time," Brown said. "And that's what it's like to raise a child with serious heart problems."
Team Tucker now has 55 members and has already raised more than $7,000. The family said they are hoping to host the mini climb at Waverly Elementary School next year.
If you haven't signed up for the Fight for Air Climb, it's not too late. Registration will be located in the Grand Ballroom in the Hilton Hotel. Visit the website for more information.
Waverly Family Fights For A Cure
Lung disease kills thousands of people every year. Organizations like the American Lung Association hold events throughout the year to help raise money and support for the fight against one of the leading causes of death. This weekend in Springfield, people are climbing for the fight against lung disease in the American Lung Association's 4th Annual Fight for Air Climb at the downtown Hilton. Among them is a young boy from Waverly. Here's his story.
It all started 10 months ago. That's when Tucker Brown was born. Tucker was born with serious heart defects, which lead to even greater illnesses that went straight to his lungs.
After Tucker was born, the Brown family's lives changed forever.
"In the last year he has had two open heart surgeries, a cath procedure, a lot of doctors appointments," mother Letitia Brown said. "So the February of this year we wanted to do something positive and kind of erase those bad memories of last February when everything changed."
The Brown family decided to participate in the Fight For Air Climb, which is sponsored by the American Lung Association, in an effort to raise funds towards more research to put a stop to lung disease.
"It's the number one killer for children, and we have several of participants who are climbing in honor and in memory of people on Saturday," Sarah Tapscott of the American Lung Association said. "Whether it's a lost grandmother, maybe it's a co-worker that they know, maybe they are climbing because they have been affected by it personally."
The Brown family created Team Tucker and decided to spread the awareness to Waverly Elementary School, where about 100 students participated in a climb of their own, showing support for their classmate's little brother.
"Each student had to pay $2 and then the PAWS organization matched that $2 with all of the money going to Team Tucker and the American Lung Association," Brown said. "And then the kids had to go up and down the bleacher steps 32 times to mimick going to the top of the Hilton."
Brown said this is just the first step.
"Climbing to the top of the mountain seems insurmountable, and so you take it one step at a time," Brown said. "And that's what it's like to raise a child with serious heart problems."
Team Tucker now has 55 members and has already raised more than $7,000. The family said they are hoping to host the mini climb at Waverly Elementary School next year.
If you haven't signed up for the Fight for Air Climb, it's not too late. Registration will be located in the Grand Ballroom in the Hilton Hotel. Visit the website for more information.
