Everett firefighters hope to raise $100K for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

EVERETT, Wash. - On a gloomy Saturday afternoon in Everett, at the corner of 102nd Street and 19th Ave. in front of Costco, firefighters carried signs and a boot with one goal: to fill the boot.

They’re trying to raise $100,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ahead of the 34th annual Firefighter Stair Climb in March.

"Everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer, either personally, or family or friends, and it’s an awful disease," Galen Wallace, firefighter driver and engineer for the Everett Fire Department said.

He’s participated in the LL Firefighter Stair Climb five times. Each year, firefighters from across the country honor and support the blood cancer community by raising money, gearing up and then climbing 69 flights of stairs at the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. That is 1,356 steps!

Firefighter completes Columbia Center climb

"It’s very moving," Wallace said. This year is even more meaningful for him. "My dad has cancer right now, so it hits close to home for me, but we’ve had members of our department with kids that have been affected by leukemia and lymphoma, including my first captain here at the department and many others," Wallace said.

As the firefighters climb, they’re also seeing the faces of those impacted by blood cancer.

Galen Wallace and his father.

"I saw pictures of that captain and his daughter, who was in remission, and also last year I saw a photo of one of my brothers at the fire station’s late wife," Wallace said. "That was hard to see, but you know you’re making it better for the next family."

Which is why their efforts start on Saturdays like this one, reaching out to the community and raising money to fill the boot.

"Without them [the community] this is completely impossible. We need their help to raise the money, and we are extremely grateful for what they give. It can be as little as a dollar or as much as however much you want to donate. The Everett Firefighters Association accepts Venmo and cash donations just let us know what it’s for, and we’ll make sure it gets there," Wallace said.

He told FOX 13, his dad is doing as well as can be and has a positive outlook, and with organizations like LLS, his dad and so many others have a chance.

This year’s Firefighter Stair Climb is happening on March 9. You can find out more information about the climb and ways to donate here. 

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