Local firefighter Jason Bostic of the Fredericktown Community Fire District is headed back to Seattle, WA, to compete March 12th in the annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb, benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is the 11th year that he has competed in the event and the third year as the eastern and central United States Ambassador to the program.
“Its hard to believe I started this journey 11 years ago, to look back and see how far I’ve come, and how much the event has changed is just amazing,” said FCFD Firefighter Jason Bostic. “Being a part of our climb and helping with the LLS is an amazing charity to take part in. We are some highly motivated, goal oriented, and driven firefighters that want to make a difference.”
This year the event will feature 2000 firefighters from eight countries, and 26 states in the daylong competition as they climb 69 floors, 1356 steps in full firefighting gear all in a timed race. The building stands 788 feet and is the second tallest west of the Mississippi, testing firefighters as they have only the air in the SCBA on their backs to reach the top.
“This is a grueling challenge that puts your body to the test. Your lungs are burning, your eyes are burning, your heart pounding, and your legs on fire by the time you finish, but it is nothing like the challenge and pain those with blood cancers face,” said Bostic. “Every single step is a constant reminder of who we climb for and why we climb. One of these days we will say we were a part of ending cancer.”
Bostic has traveled throughout the year to other competitions and stair climbs for a variety of causes to compete and prepare for the Seattle event. Events aren’t the only means of preparation for Bostic though, who aims to stay firefighter fit. In addition to competing, he trains at Anytime Fitness in Mount Vernon and Mid-Ohio Martial Arts in Fredericktown where he is a blue belt and senior instructor.
“I’m out there to beat my personal best from last year, and proud to once again be a VIP fundraiser,” said Bostic. “I’m out there to push others, fight for every second I can take off my time, and push to be a leader in fundraising in the world.”
With just over a week left before the event, he has raised $2810 toward his goal of $3000 for the climb. Last year the 1900 firefighters competing in the event raised $2.3 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“Words can’t completely describe what this weekend and this event is like, its something you have to experience,” said Bostic. “Once you’re involved with us, you’re hooked. We drive each other, we lift each other as our honorees battle, and I couldn’t ask for a better organization to be a part of.”
Bostic’s motivation for participating in the event was his mother Peggy’s illness of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia that nearly took her life in 1986. Her long battle with CML continued to slowly kill her until she received a bone marrow transplant in 1990. The unmatched, unrelated bone marrow transplant was the first of its kind at The Ohio State University Medical Center and was before the James Cancer Institute came to fruition. Without fundraisers and funding for research, her life may not have been saved. She has been in remission since 1993 and continues to live a healthy life.
“I can’t payback the efforts of what the L&LS and their research did to save my mom, but I can pay it forward and make sure it is there for someone else,” Bostic added.
For more information about his climb and to donate you can visit his personal website at www.ff4cures.com and follow the link on the right side of the page to the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb fundraiser.