Two Queen Anne residents are busy training to climb Mount Rainier this summer as part of a group tackling the mountain to raise money for the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific.
Susannah Rowles (left) and Lisa Reid (right) prepare for their climb during one of their weekly training sessions.
Susannah Rowles and Lisa Reid can be spotting training together on the slopes and stairs of Queen Anne hill most Wednesday evenings, as they prepare to climb Rainier this July.
The climb is more than just a fun and adventurous fundraiser for the two, however. For Reid, whose mother suffers from lung disease, it’s personal. Both Rowles and Reid are asking for donations to support the climb and the American Lung Association. On her fundraising page, Reid talks a little bit about her mother’s condition and why this climb, her first, is so important to her:
Outside of the physical and mental accomplishment that comes with reaching the summit, I am excited to be supporting a worthwhile and personal cause. Ten years ago, my Mom was diagnosed with a genetic condition, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, that can lead to emphysema. Her body does not make enough of the alpha-1 protein that protects the lungs from damage. As soon as she was diagnosed she took action and receives intravenous medication weekly to minimize further deterioration. Although she continues to pursue the right steps, she has lost a large percent of her ability to breathe and may never regain it. The work of the American Lung Association can help people with my Mom’s condition by improving their quality of life.
In the four months leading up to the climb Reid and Rowles hope to raise a considerable amount of money to help support the climb, and the education, research and other services ALA offers. Reid, with a funding goal of $3,750, has already raised $1,967.50, more than half of what she hopes to. Rowles, with a goal of $4,500, has raised $1,269 so far.
To support Reid and Rowles check out their personal climb pages here – Lisa Reid and Susannah Rowles. The two will also be planning a fundraiser here in Queen Anne as the climb gets closer. We’ll keep you posted on when and where that event will take place as the date nears.
Find out more about the work of the American Lung Association in Washington State here.