4th Annual Climb Tampa
On March 21, 2009, our team of attorneys, legal assistants, administrative staff, and family members took the American Lung Association’s challenge and travelled the steps to the top of the Bank of America building in downtown Tampa. A veteran of the Climb Tampa event, Angela Rodante was not surprised at the firm’s turnout or performance. “There are no quitters in this crew, each and every one made it to the top,” she said.
The cause: lung cancer. The Climb Tampa website, explains that less than 40% of lung cancer patients survive more than one year after being diagnosed and less than 15% survive more than 5 years. Aggressive treatment combined with cutting-edge research however can save lives and provide real hope. Today, an estimated 12,535 Floridians are battling lung cancer, and roughly 6 out of every 10 will die within a year of being diagnosed.
The overwhelming participation by our Swope, Rodante family in this event demonstrates just how close this issue is to our hearts. In the words of one of our own cancer survivors: we are doing this for everyone who has heard the words, “you have cancer” and their families.
Well, they really did it!
Our team captain, Brandon Cathey, led the team to place 5th out of 73 teams. Congratulations to Darrell Hinson (7:01), Stephanie Miles (7:13, Overall Female Champion), and Dustin Swope (7:38) for their amazing performance! We are proud to say that our firm raised $1800 for the American Lung Association and the event exceeded its fundraising goal of $150,000 for the American Lung Association.
Dale Swope was deeply moved by the firm’s performance. After the event, he told the team, “There are no words I can use to explain to other people how it makes me feel knowing how you all have represented us all today.”