Survivor's strength | Patch in Chicago, Illinois

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Every year, on the cold morning of Chicago, thousands of people gather in the former John Hancock Building to do something special. It is to climb 94 steps. They climb for thousands of people who breathe, gain hope, and to fight lung disease every day. Among them is the 64 -year -old Sutibu Felkau, a survivor of both lung transplant and kidney transplant, led by his team, Kaliz Climbers, leading the 22nd team. Climb the stairs of Hustle Chicago®。 Since 2008, his team has far exceeded $ 400,000 to support the education, research and policy changes of the Respiratory Health Association.

But for Steve, mountain climbing is not a break. It pays tribute to the gifts that save the lives received from Cali Westberg, a 17 -year -old girl in Iowa, 25 years ago.

Steve's journey began with cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that damage the lungs and digestive systems. As he grows up, the doctors say he can't live up to his teens, and Steve says, “I thought so.” However, over the years, the lungs weakened. By the 1990s, his vital capacity has dropped sharply to only 10%.

“I felt it was impossible to breathe,” Steve recalls. “When I received the phone, I was approaching the end.” The phone was called in April 2000. The tragic killer Cali Westberg and his family gave Steve a chance to live and breathe again with the gifts of both lung transplants.

“People think it's okay if you are transplanted. Not true. In the case of the lungs, half of us cannot live for five years,” Steve explains.

Both lung transplant was just the beginning of Steve's medicine. The drug he is taking to protect the provided lungs and manage cystic fibrosis has caused major damage to other organs, especially the kidneys and pancreas.

Twelve years after receiving Kali's lungs, Steve's kidneys fell into dysfunction. Alex, one of Cali's friends and Steve's teammates every year, provided one of her kidney to keep Kali and potash on the stairs for a while. For decades, dozens of Cali friends and volleyball teammates have belonged to Steve's team.

“If immunity is suppressed for transplantation and other reasons, the door to cancer will be opened. It will open the door to infectious diseases,” Steve explains. For many years, he has faced many complications, including organ perforation, intestinal obstruction, kidney transplant, and recently diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

“Chemotherapy is difficult, and the side effects of treatment are accumulated, so it is more likely to be more difficult,” Steve says. Steve emphasizes that despite the difficulties he faced, he survived it was a proof that many people supported him. “I have overcome a lot of things, but if so many people couldn't see my back, that would not happen,” he says.

For Steve, climbing the stairs is not just climbing the stairs. It celebrates life, community, and people who change. “I love talking to climbers, and I love to let them know that they are changing, so it takes time to climb forever. A person like me is alive. Thanks to those like them, “he explains.

Steve also stands at the entrance of the Jewel Osco Food Store with a can and is inspired by his mother who has collected coins to study cystic fibrosis. “She will be ashamed of the people! And all of these drugs currently on sale are the results of the decision at the time. The same is true for stairs.” “I've been watching the improvement of respiratory care so far, and witnessing it and getting the benefits is wonderful. In some ways, high tide raises all ships. [Researchers] Find something good for cystic fibrosis. [also] It gives profits on COPD and many other respiratory diseases. ”

But Steve's positive is not to look at the “rainbow or unicorn” as he says. “There is no choice if you don't become negative. Even if you are negative, it doesn't help, it just makes me more depressed.”

He believes that this attitude is helpful to overcome countless issues, and this is a lesson for everyone.

“Please be kind. Please be kind to people. Help others. Help is to collect funds for the cause, the help of that help, the help of that help is your neighbors. Helping a friend who needs something is a big start, and once he feels good.

Hustle Chicago's stairs for over 28 years have provided opportunities to influence. Whether you want to climb for your loved ones, just climb for your loved ones, or just take a challenge, participate in a battle for healthy lungs and clean air.

Please register Resphealth.org/ Hustle。

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