FAQ

You can register online by specifying your participation type. You can climb as a team, an individual, or join us as a volunteer. Then follow the prompts to complete your registration. Please feel free to reach out to event manager Heather Johnson with any questions.

Each participant is required to pay a registration fee and raise a minimum of $100 prior to event day in order to receive their packet and participate in the Fight For Air Climb.

Registration fees are as follows:

• $25 thru January 31
• $35 February 1 thru April 7

Registration fees are non-refundable. If you are unable to make the event, funds raised will support the American Lung Association’s mission.

The 2024 Fight For Air Climb - Des Moines, presented by EMC Insurance Companies will once again be a four building climb in the following Downtown Des Moines buildings:

• EMC Insurance Companies | 15 Floors | 371 Steps
• The Financial Center | 22 Floors | 464 Steps
• Hub Tower | 16 Floors | 324 Steps
• Ruan | 32 Floors | 637 Steps
• Total of 85 Floors and 1,796 Steps

The average time to climb the stairwells of all four buildings is 24 minutes, not including time travelling between buildings.

Start times will be posted at FightForAirClimb.org/DesMoines at Noon on Wednesday, April 3^rd. You will receive an email link to the start times. You will also receive a "wave number". To make a start time request for you or your team, please email EventsIA@Lung.org

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time. This gives you time to check your gear, find your team, and warm up.

Event day check in is located at the Wellmark YMCA (501 Grand Ave, Des Moines). All climbers must check in at the Wellmark YMCA before they begin climbing. Waves of climbers will be escorted by volunteer guides from the Wellmark YMCA to the start line of the first building, EMC Insurance Companies.

If for some reason you cannot complete the climb, someone at the nearest water station can assist you. There are volunteers located at “floor stops” in each building and throughout the skywalk that can assist you.

The minimum fundraising requirement is $100 per person. Climbers have until event day to raise the money. and if, for some reason they haven't met the minimum they will be asked to pay it before participating.

The registration fee does not count toward the fundraising minimum. But don’t worry, we are here to help, and we have plenty of fundraising ideas and tips to get you started!

Thanks to the generous support of people like you, the American Lung Association saves lives by fighting for healthy lungs and healthy air. Today, our fight is more important than ever, and 90 cents of every dollar raised by our organization goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

Donations can be sent to the American Lung Association office:

Fight For Air Climb - Des Moines
c/o American Lung Association in IA
2530 73rd Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

If you are part of a team, please be sure to include your name and team name.

Many companies will offer to match an employee's contribution to a charitable organization. For questions regarding your company’s matching gift programs, please contact your employer’s HR department or community giving department.  You can also use our company search tool below to see if your employer offers a matching gift program, as well as find information on how to get started.

You can order a limited edition Fight For Air Climb alumni t-shirt, tank or long sleeve when you register. 

Climbing on a team is the best way to enjoy the event. The camaraderie of the shared endeavor is priceless, and it is way more fun reaching the top with friends and family cheering you on.

To form a team, choose Register as Team Captain. Make sure you have a team name in mind: honor a loved one, make it fun or name it after your business — the sky’s the limit!

After you register as a Team Captain, tell your team members to select Register as a Team Member and to search for your team name to join.

Team captains rally friends, family and co-workers to form a team to work together and fundraise for the Climb. Register as Team Captain today!

Yes! Local event managers are here to support Team Captains every step of the way. We also have several online tools for fundraising and team member recruitment. Visit our Fundraising page or contact your event manager.

No, the registration fee and fundraising minimum are per individual. There are no additional fees for creating a team.