A team from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue is gearing up for the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb on Sunday, March 8, to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The event requires participants to wear full turnouts, boots, and air packs as they race up 69 grueling flights of stairs to reach the finish line on the observation deck of the 788-foot-tall Columbia Center in Seattle, Wash. For each of the 1,311 steps they take on their climb for a cure, the team raises donations that will support research and services for blood cancer patients.

TVF&R’s team of 51 off-duty firefighters and staff members will join more than 1,800 firefighters from 300 departments from across the United States to complete this physical challenge and fundraiser.

Since 1949, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Money raised from the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb will support these worthwhile efforts.

This year marks the 16th year that TVF&R crews have volunteered to participate in the event. In that time, the team has raised more than $271,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year, the TVF&R team is on pace to raise an additional $35,000 for the cause through individual and family donations.

Individuals wishing to contribute to TVF&R’s team can click on the team fundraising page. Checks (payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) may also be mailed to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue at 11945 S.W. 70th Ave., Tigard, Oregon 97223.