City Of Golden Valley: Golden Valley Firefighter Honored For Efforts To Help End Lung Disease

Press release from the City of Golden Valley:

October 13, 2021

A Golden Valley firefighter will be featured in the American Lung Association’s 2022 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar that honors local heroes and supports its vision of a world free of lung disease. Battalion Chief Ken Bence has participated in the Minnesota Lung Association’s annual Fight For Air Climb 14 times, raising more than $75,000.

Golden Valley Firefighter Ken Bence will be featured in the American Lung Association’s 2022 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar.

This is the Lung Association’s second annual calendar to recognize the Fight For Air Climbs’ top supporters, who participate in more than 40 cities across the country. The 2022 calendar features photos of top fundraising firefighters and firefighter teams at their local Fight For Air Climbs. It also includes fire safety tips, statistics on how fires affect our lung health, and tips for local Fight For Air Climbs. All proceeds support the Lung Association’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research.

“As a paid on-call firefighter, I love participating in the Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb year after year because I can raise awareness and money for those who suffer from lung disease,” Bence said. “Unfortunately, many firefighters are at increased risk due to exposure to gases, chemicals, and smoke. I’m grateful that the Lung Association’s calendar helps support lung health for all firefighters, whether full-time, volunteer, or somewhere in between.”

The mission of the Lung Association hits close to home with firefighters. Respiratory diseases remain a significant health issue for firefighters and emergency responders. Firefighters are at a higher risk to develop chronic issues, including lingering cough, hoarseness, asthma, and allergies. In more extreme cases, they may be diagnosed with lung or bronchial cancer.

“Firefighters like Ken are not only out there saving lives every day, they fundraise and participate in events like our Fight For Air Climb in their free time,” said Mindee Kastelic, chairwoman of the Lung Association’s Local Leadership Board. “We are amazed by their daily sacrifice and are honored that Ken, as well as so many other local heroes, participate in our event.”

The Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar can be purchased at Lung.org/Calendar.

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to champion clean air for all, to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families, and to create a tobacco-free future.

This press release was produced by the City of Golden Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.