Elmhurst Man to Rappel 27 Stories in Downtown Chicago in Memory of His Uncle

Dave Thompson of Elmhurst will step off the top of the Wit Hotel, 278 feet above State and Lake streets in downtown Chicago, during Skyline Plunge! Chicago next month. A self-proclaimed adventurist, Dave will rappel the Wit not only for an adrenaline rush, but to support people living with lung disease, as well.
 
Hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Skyline Plunge! Chicago raises money and awareness for local lung disease research, advocacy and education. More than 75 people will participate in the event on Sunday, May 6, and many have been affected by lung disease—including Dave. The 28-year-old is rappelling in memory of his uncle, Phil Naas, who passed away from lung cancer in June 2011.
 
Phil was diagnosed with Stage III lung cancer in 2007, and the diagnosis came as a shock to his family because he’d quit smoking 20 years earlier. Dave said the news made him aware of how many other family members or friends could benefit from increased knowledge about the health impacts of smoking.
 
“A lot of people who I know and love smoke or have smoked, so I want to rappel to raise money for lung disease research,” Dave said. “I’m excited to see how much I can bring in for the association and to help people who have also been affected by lung disease.”
 
Dave’s fund-raising goal is $1,500, and he is more than half way to reaching that goal. In all, the event will raise $100,000 for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Funds raised will support lung disease research and programs for people living with lung cancer, COPD, asthma or other lung diseases.
 
To support Dave’s fund-raising efforts or to offer words of encouragement, click here.

Thanks to Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago for submitting this article.