Tewksbury Firefighter, Residents ‘Fight For Air’ in Boston

Written by Danielle Masterson

One firefighter from Tewksbury climbed over 40 flights of stairs in full turnout gear this weekend in the name of charity, and he was joined by several other of the town's residents at the event.

Along with first responders from all over Massachusetts, Brookline Fire Department member and Tewksbury native Brian Cadman climbed the stairs of the BNY Mellon Center on Washington Street in Boston on Saturday as part of the American Lung Association’s annual “Fight For Air” event.

Called a “vertical road race” by organizers, the event raises money and awareness for lung cancer, asthma, air pollution and other breathing disorders.

Tewksbury residents Brian Studer, Bernadette Villalpan, Judy Murphy, Roseann Romano, Joanne Dooley and Paula Cullen all ran the event for various organizations in addition to Cadman running in his firefighter gear.

Witalisz placed highest from Tewksbury group, finishing 138th overall with a time of 7:54.

Ryan Thomson, a Portland, Maine firefighter, won the firefighter division; while Andrew Hashway of Somerville, a part of the Gentle Giant Moving Company team, finished first out of all entrants.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

For a complete list of firefighter winners, click here.