More than 5,000 people participate in 'Big Climb' fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

For Margaret Cassidy, there is not a day that goes by she doesn't think of her mom, Jo-Anne.

“My mom was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, multiple myeloma, and a rare disease called amyloidosis four years ago,” Cassidy said.

Her mom passed away a year and a half ago.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Today, Cassidy honored her mother's memory as part of the Alaska Airlines team and joined more than 5,000 other climbers who took on the Columbia Center, the state's highest skyscraper.

“One of the first things that happened with her was her inability to walk. This disease attacks so many parts of your body. And the first time we saw something was wrong, was she was getting winded when she was walking,” Cassidy recounted.

Wearing her mom's ring and her necklace, Margaret made it her mission - just as she's done for the last three years - to climb 69 floors, 1,311 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation. It is grueling, but nothing compared to the battle facing cancer patients, like her mom. Her picture is seen in the stairwells, along with other patients and survivors.

“Though I'll be barely breathing. and sweating up a storm, when you see that it keeps you pushing on,” Cassidy added.

Each step taken is a step toward ending blood cancer.

The Big Climb, now in its 33rd year, is one of the major fundraisers for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society hopes to raise a record $3.1 million from the climb.

Executive Director Anne Gillingham said the money raised goes to fund research and services for local patients.

“There’s no prescreening you can do and no way to change your lifestyle to avoid a blood cancer, so the answer for patients is really to find cures,” Gillingham said.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society also provides financial help for patients to cover their medical bills. Last year, it spent about a $1 million to help 350 local patients.

So far, Cassidy has raised almost $14,000. But it's more than just money she wants to raise. She believes an earlier diagnosis could have made a difference in her mom's life.

“I didn't want to do this interview because I knew I was going to cry but I thought mom would want me doing it to be able to raise awareness for amyloidosis,” Cassidy explained. “Look it up.”

She’s holding onto hope that, one day, this will be the last finish line she needs to cross in her mother’s memory.

If you want to donate to Cassidy's fundraising page, follow this link.

Cox Media Group