Climbs One of the Tallest Skyscrapers in Newark, in support of Lung Disease Patients
4th Annual Fight for Air Climb – Newark, April 7, 2018
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Major sponsor for of this unique event
Darrell K.Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey with member of the hospital ALA Fight for Air Climb team which includes more than 49 members.
NEWARK, NJ (April 2, 2018) – On Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 8 a.m. Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey will lead his team and join hundreds of participants, including first responders, at the American Lung Association of New Jersey’s 4th Annual Fight for Air Climb at One Gateway Center.
“I am proud to join the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital team as we climb One Gateway Center’s 28 flights, that’s 504 steps, in honor of the countless lung disease, asthma, and COPD patients that we have treated over the years,” said Darrell K. Terry Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey and the 2018 Fight for Air Climb Newark, Chair.
Climbers will help raise funds for clean air and lung disease research, education and advocacy.
“As the only lung transplant program in the state of New Jersey, we have a unique stake in this race and this year we are also honoring the memory of our colleague, pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Sushmita Mikkilineni, who passed away last year. Dr. Mikkilineni was a Board Member of the American Lung Association in New Jersey for more than 15 years and devoted her life to fighting pulmonary diseases, specifically childhood asthma,” said Darrell K. Terry Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.
According to the American Lung Association, more than 1 million New Jersey residents have chronic lung disease, such as asthma or COPD. In addition, lung cancer continues to be the number one cancer killer of men and women.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey will help kick off the opening ceremony, before hundreds of first responders, local business leaders and community members take on the “vertical road race.” Proceeds support the mission of the American Lung Association: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
Fire fighters, police officers, EMTs and other emergency personnel will also compete in teams; more than 75 firefighters will be showing their support at the end of the race by climbing the 28 flights in full firefighter gear – helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, boots and air pack – weighing more than 45 pounds to compete in the Fastest Fire Team Challenge. Firefighters have an increased risk for lung disease from the exposure to gases, chemicals and smoke in the line of duty.
The Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center offers increased access to single and double lung transplant, comprehensive treatment and management of chronic and complex lung disease, and support services like pulmonary rehabilitation, pain management and smoking cessation programs. Our multi-disciplinary teams of pulmonologists, transplant surgeons, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and dietitians are all working together to care for the complex needs of our lung disease patients.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, (NBIMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a 665-bed regional teaching hospital that provides comprehensive health care. Newark Beth Israel is home to one of the nation’s top five heart transplant centers, which has performed more than 1,000 heart transplants; RWJBarnabas Health’sHeart Failure Treatment and Transplant Program; New Jersey’s only Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program and a Valve Center that performs more cardiac valve procedures, including minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs), than any other center in the state. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is also home to Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ), which cares for children from birth through adolescence, with more than 30 specialized pediatric services including New Jersey’s largest Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders; and the Children’s Heart Center that offers a complete range of medical and surgical treatments for the most complex cardiac abnormalities. The Newark Beth Israel robotic surgery program is the most experienced in northern New Jersey. The Frederick B. Cohen, MD, Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Breast Health Center provide seamless integration of cancer prevention, specialized care and treatment options. Newark Beth Israel also offers many preventive health programs that promote wellness in the community, including The Beth Greenhouse, which provides access to fresh produce and health and wellness education to local residents.
CONTACT: Linda Kamateh
Director, Marketing & Corporate Communications
linda.kamateh@rwjbh.org
(973)-926-3803