Hustle Chicago Stair Climb at former John Hancock Center raises money to prevent lung disease

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It was more than 1,600 steps and 94 floors of climbing, all to raise money for lung disease awareness.

That's how more than 1,500 people from 26 different states kicked off their Sunday at 360 Chicago. Many of them, like Brian Gold, had stories to tell.

Gold climbed Sunday for his dad and brother, who died from lung disease.

"I think they'd definitely be proud," Gold said. "And, it's nice to have a team of 20 that's supporting us this year."

The participants all rallied around each other with groups, including some Morton Grove firefighters, taking their turns at the 94 floor climb.

"You know, trying to kind of raise money for people who have respiratory illness and for the families that have lost loved ones to it," said Morton Grove Firefighter Craig Lubrano.

Hustle Chicago Stair Climb organizers said 650 of the people there have been directly impacted by lung disease.

"The cause is really why we do it," said participant Justin Aguilar. "I think, each and every year, coming out here, getting a charitable contribution and giving back to the community, getting ourselves healthy."

Steve Ferkau has cystic fibrosis. On Sunday, he was one of those defying the odds, and climbing with the pair of lungs and kidney he had replaced years ago thanks to some donors from Iowa.

"I tell people, 'I'm slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa.' That's a good thing," Ferkau said. "With my old lungs, I used to look at a flight of stairs like Mount Everest. It was just unbearable to go up a couple flights. Now, I can climb up 94 floors."

It's a journey for people of all ages, with one child as young as 6 years old and two people who are 81 years old.

On average, it takes about 26 minutes to climb the 94 floors, but the participants said they were motivated by the atmosphere and the loved ones they did it for.

"I think she's very proud of me. And, I think she's thinking, 'You're going to do it again next year. Get your butt back up there.' So, I'll be back," said Laurie, who lost a friend to lung disease.