Volunteers climb steps of HSBC tower

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Volunteers climbed the steps of the HSBC tower to support the American Lung Association. Saturday's event was the third annual Fight for Air Climb.

About 400 people registered to climb up the entire stairwell of the tower. That's 38 flights. It was no small feat, especially if you've never done it before.

North Tonawanda resident Ben Kubit said, “A lot of pain, misery, sweating profusely, probably getting laughed at by girls who are in better shape than me.”

“It is a tough, challenging, athletic event, so when you get to the top of the stairwell, you really feel, you can sympathize with people who have lung disease so it's a great event.  As you can see, tons of people, and we just love being here,” said Director of  the American Lung Association Jaime Anderson.

The lung association expects to raise $100,000 through Saturday’s climb.