This might be it – though, for the past few years when I’ve said it was my last year, several of the people who have climbed with me year after year just roll their eyes and say, “whutevurrrr…” And last year, driving one of Kari’s friends to the airport and trying to gently tell her I might not do it in 2010 – she paused, then gently let me know back that I could do whatever I wanted, they were climbing… To complicate matters further – Laura reminded me that this was my 10th year. My 8th year climbing, but my 10th breathing…
This year I’m climbing with a few others who have received gifts like I’ve received – new lungs, new corneas, and a girl with a new heart (our Melissa!) who was cheered all the way up last year by Kari’s friends. She’s going to have an extra special climb this year… And, there are at least a dozen people climbing with me who help deliver these gifts to people like me… And I’m climbing with #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 and #2. Kari was a star middle-hitter on her Algona High School volleyball team. She wore #13. Six of her friends are coming in from Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois to climb with me. And another beautiful chick who helps people with new kidneys is coming all the way from New Jersey to climb with me… And beyond them – 80 others are on my “Kari’s Klimbers” team, for many, this will be their 6th or 7th climb.
Including this year – my teams have raised over $200,000.00 for the Respiratory Health Association of Metro Chicago. That part has been because of so many people like you, helping us… How many things have you been a part of that have raised that much money and awareness for a good cause?!?! I’m grateful to be a part of this one…
Beyond helping the Respiratory Health Association – I climb to tell people about the magic of organ donation, and about heroes in my life… I climb to help people understand how very special organ donors and their families (and friends) are. I know several people who are very precious to me, who are waiting for lungs or other organs – several people who need someone like Kari in their lives… I climb because of them. And I climb to tell people about Kari – to keep her smile, and her spirit alive. With the funds we’ve raised for the RHAMC, you’ve helped give my team a platform for me to tell so many about the girl who saved my life… And that means more than anything to me.
I know that these have been difficult financial times for many of us… Ironically, I’ve never focused on fundraising when I’ve done these climbs – but it always seems to happen. If you have a couple of bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I or anyone on my team would love a pledge… But more than anything, I’d love it if you check out my little website and read about the beautiful girl, and all of the people surrounding me who have allowed me to leap tall buildings…
To see my Hustle page, click here…
To see my website about Kari, go to www.ClimbingForKari.org
To find someone on my full, Kari’s Klimbers team, click here…
After 8 years doing this annually – I’m kinda whupped… At the same time, the thought of not doing it is kinda hard. This is what I do. I do other things too – but so often, they go along with, “Hey! You’re the guy who climbs those buildings with your new lungs!” I am – and I’m proud of that – then I show them Kari’s pictures… And if you’re wondering – it’s not climbing 94 floors that whups me – I could do that every day with her beautiful lungs… It’ll be 10 years in April – and what she has allowed me to do is more than I’d ever imagined possible – she’s on my mind throughout the day, every day.
And finally, and very important to me – please consider organ & tissue donation, register to be a donor at your state’s registry, and tell your family how you feel. I know a beautiful girl from Iowa who knew how she felt and she told her family… I think about her every single day.
Love, Steve
Steve Ferkau
Chicago, Illinois
Kari’s Klimbers
www.ClimbingForKari.org
My full Hustle link:
http://my.imisfriendraising.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=276848&LangPref=en-CA
I'm saying this might be it... I'm not saying that, with a little more wind in my sails, there won't be a "Final Ascent, Part II"... I did have my moment in Hollywood, you know...
