(Le Mars) — A local firefighter recently participated in a skyscraper stair climb in an effort to create awareness and funding for leukemia and lymphoma cancer. Devin Schipper is a firefighter with both the Sioux City Fire Department and with the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department. Schipper traveled to Seattle, Washington, with his firefighting gear for the annual
Firefighter Stair Climb at the Columbia Center.
Schipper says the program is an annual event, attracting firefighters from around the world, and designed to raise money for cancer victims.
Schipper says his friend and fellow firefighter, as well as a cancer
survivor, told Schipper of the event and invited him to participate in the stair climb.
While in Seattle, the Sioux City and Le Mars firefighter was able to meet a young boy, three years of age suffering from leukemia. Schipper says it was nice to be able to place a face with the cause.
Following the stair climb, Schipper and other firefighters had the
opportunity to meet young Henry.
Devin Schipper says the three year old has firefighters as his heroes, and says he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. As for Schipper, he admits that young Henry and others suffering from cancer are his heroes.
Referring back to the stair climb competition, Schipper says the event attracts more than 2000 firefighters from around the world.
Schipper is a fifth generation firefighter. He says he hopes to return to Seattle to again compete in the Firefighter Stair Climb.
Following the stair climb, Devin Schipper is shown being greeted and given a hug by his mother Alyissa Schipper of Le Mars.
(photos contributed.)
