Community members unite for lung health, awareness

by Laura Bednar

Recent events like the fires in L.A. or the global pandemic bring to attention the importance of lung health, and Sagamore residents along with the Northfield VFW Post 6768 are supporting an event that raises awareness of lung disease in a variety of forms.

The American Lung Association’s annual “Fight for Air Climb” on March 2 challenges participants to climb 54 floors, or 1,268 steps, in the Key Tower in downtown Cleveland to raise awareness and funds for lung disease research, education and advocacy.

Sagamore resident Catherine Widemire, manager of the event, has participated in the climb for the past six years. She herself had exercise-induced asthma as a child and was a dancer in school. As an adult, her asthma is due to weather conditions or poor air quality, which makes it hard to breathe and leaves her with a cough or burning feeling in her lungs.

“Getting involved in the climb was a hard choice at first,” she said. A friend asked her to participate and she originally declined. “In 2019, I decided not to let asthma keep me from doing something incredible.”

She spoke with her doctor about how to train within her limits and joined a local gym to perform cardio exercises and lift weights a few months before the climb. Through high intensity interval training, which raises, lowers and then raises the heart rate, she mimicked how her body would feel climbing stairs.

“One of my favorite places to exercise for the Fight For Air Climb is Brandywine Falls,” she said.

Widemire said anyone can accomplish something great and they shouldn’t let a disease stop them. “It was worth it to see the view of Cleveland from the top of the tower,” she said.

Widemire has participated in 20 stair-climb events in the region and climbs in other cities. After a climb in Columbus, she was asked to share her story with others as a “Lung Force Hero,” which led to her position with the ALU in Cleveland.

Participants in the climb of the tallest building in Ohio between Chicago and Philadelphia have staggered times to race to the top or take it step by step.

Robert Pluto, longtime Sagamore resident, veteran and member of the Northfield VFW, is part of the color guard that will open this year’s event. Northfield VFW Post 6768 is this year’s presenting sponsor. 

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars is committed to raising awareness for a healthy America. We strive to promote a top-notch health care system for our veterans suffering from debilitating lung diseases like Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome and Toxic Burn Pits from serving in combat zones,” said Clinton A. Ulrich, commander of the Northfield post. “Teaming up with the American Lung Association to help raise awareness for each other’s causes is pivotal in ensuring we continue to move forward while not forgetting our past.”

Pluto is a prime example of a veteran with a lung disease. He was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War at age 19 and spent two years in the service. Eight years ago he was diagnosed with having Agent Orange in his lungs, which led to symptoms including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He said he uses an inhaler 40% of the time.

Pluto said other VFW members have similar issues from chemicals they were exposed to in wars including WWII, Vietnam, Korea and Afghanistan. He said the VFW’s support of the climb and his involvement not only highlights people’s lung-related health struggles but also the Northfield post’s community work.

“With a grant from Home Depot, we work on making the post look presentable,” said Pluto, adding that through another grant, the post helped a veteran with lung problems build a deck on the back of his home.

Pluto said he was initially hesitant to join any VFW after being met with criticisms and derogatory statements following his return from Vietnam. An officer from the Northfield post met with him and convinced him to join. He has been a member of post 6768 for more than five years and is now a junior vice officer. 

“I’m enjoying what I’m doing,” he said. “We reach out to the community any way we can to help others.”

Pluto said the hope is to make known that the post not only offers a community for those who served, but assists others through charities and events like the Fight for Air Climb.

“The veterans went through a trying time with communities, but people are finally realizing that we are here for a good cause and are doing a lot,” he said.

Widemire said the climb shows people what it’s like to have lung issues and what first responders like firefighters put their lungs through. Financial support from the individuals, corporate teams and first responders that participate in the climb fund education and programs in schools about inhalers and nicotine cessation, as well as public programs and advocacy at a national level.

“When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters,” said Widemire.For more information on participation in or support of the climb, visit ClimbCleveland.org. 

Photo caption: Catherine Widemire has participated in the Cleveland Fight for Air Climb for the past six years. Photo submitted.