Ambassador Team

Rich Brown – Lead Ambassador – Boise Fire Department

Region: Southern Idaho & California

[email protected]

“This will be my 17th Firefighter Stairclimb. 2 Goals; personally raise $350,000.00 before I retire from the Firefighter Stairclimb, and see our Boise Firefighters Local 149 Team hit $1 Million. Bottom line, I climb to raise money for Blood Cancer United! I started climbing in honor of my father in law and one of my best friends, both were survivors at the time. My father-in-law Gabe’s blood cancer returned last year just weeks before the Stairclimb, sadly Gabe passed away March 22, 2025. During the preparation for the 2012 climb, my friend Jason B. Werst began fighting his blood cancer (AML) for the third time. Horribly, his fight ended when he passed November 6, 2011. These losses were difficult to experiences, these losses have been my catalyst. The thought that, I can do better, I can raise more money toward the hope others will not have to endure these bold cancers. I would love to celebrate more blood cancer survivors and see that no one else suffers like our family and friends have fighting blood cancer.”

Fundraising tip: Let everyone know you are climbing! If they don’t know they do not have the opportunity to sponsor you and donate to Blood Cancer United. Get outside of your comfort zone!

Dave O’Connor – Lead Ambassador – Nampa Fire Department

Region: Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

[email protected]

“This being my 21st year the reason I started to climb was because it seemed like a great and way to connect with those people and responders that were going through having a blood cancer and the commonality of people in my family that had been affected. That since has morphed into a passion that has driven me to help CLIMB, CONQUER and CURE and become one of three Lead Ambassadors to champion this cause!! I have since had numerous friends, family members and Coworkers affected by Blood cancer in some way and have come to recognize the impact United Blood Cancer can have on people’s lives. Ultimately,” I Climb so that one day when I reach the top we will have more survivor photos rather than memorial photos. This will mean we found a cure.” This is always in dedication to my father, my uncle, and friends that endured putting up a fight against such a debilitating disease. Climbing stairs and raising money is the least I could do. Thank you to my wife, family, friends and Nampa Fire Department for all the support.“

Fundraising tip: Just ask anybody for a donation, remember no donation is to small and it all adds up. You will also be surprised with the parallel of your story why you climb and others affected!

Scott Robinson – Lead Ambassador – Coeur d’Alene Fire Department

Region: Idaho & Central/Eastern Washington

[email protected]

“I first started participating in the event because it sounded like a cool event. I didn’t have a connection to the mission, I just wanted to try climbing. After my first year participating a family friend was diagnosed with blood cancer and the reason behind the event became much more important. The more I get involved, the more people I seem to know who have a connection to the mission, and the more I want to help raise funds to support LLS. I want to help as many people as I can raise as much money as they can to support cancer research.”

Fundraising tip: When you ask people to support you in your fundraising efforts, be ready to help them donate right away. Have the link to your website saved on your phone so you can be ready to accept donations all the time.

Brandon Wall – Templeton Fire Department

Region: California

[email protected]

“I started climbing in 2014 in memory of my Uncle Bob Thompson who passed away from stage 4 brain cancer. Even though this is not a blood cancer, it’s cancer and as a firefighter this is my way of finding a cure for ALL cancers. Since my first climb I’ve continued to climb for a number of cancer patients, those that are still continuing to fight and those that have left us. I love the aspect of being an Ambassador to support a great event and promote the climb. We climb for those who can’t.“

Fundraising tip: Don’t be afraid to try something new. Don’t be afraid to explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.

Colin Murphy – East Pierce Fire & Rescue
Region: Western Washington
[email protected]

“I climb for two reasons. The first is my cousin Julie. She was diagnosed with Leukemia in her teens and was able to beat it. The second is my good friends son, Henry. Henry was diagnosed with A.L.L when he was about two years old. He managed to fight it for a few years but sadly passed away at the age of 4. Honoring and remembering him is the main reason I began climbing. Being part of the ambassador team is just another opportunity to be involved at a higher level with this great event.”

Fundraising tip: Social media is your best friend

Daniel Kono – San Jose Fire Department

Region: California

[email protected]

“I climb for Deputy Fire Chief Jim Martin. He lost his battle to job-related cancer in 2015. Seeing his procession, funeral, and the camaraderie in the fire service inspired me to pursue a career in this field. I now climb for those who can’t, and want to raise as much money as possible to work towards finding a cure.“

Fundraising tip: One fundraising tip I would share is don’t be afraid to get out there and ask your friends, family, and coworkers. Local grocery stores are a great place to start and you can be surprised how much you can fundraise in just a few hours.

Jason Bostic – Retired
Region: Midwest, East Coast, and International
[email protected]

“My mom is why I started this climb when I joined up with the event 21 years ago. My mom, Peggy Bostic, was diagnosed with CML in 1986 when I was eight and my sister was four. Mom fought hard to live as blood cancer kept attacking her body and trying to take her life. She fought at a time when cancer treatments were far different and the hospital setting was quite different. In 1990 with only a few months remaining, the decision was made to go for a bone marrow transplant. Her transplant was the first unmatched, unrelated transplant at The Ohio State University Medical Center on March 14, 1990. It worked, it was moms, “cure”, and it gave us 35 more years with her. She saw her kids get married, she got to spoil her grandkids, see their activities, and continue living because of people like us here at the Blood Cancer United Firefighter Stair Climb.

This event, our organization, my work with all my brother and sister firefighters is how I, “pay forward,” as Coach Woody Hayes would say.“

Fundraising tip: If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. Personalize your story and your why you are doing this.

Justin Jensen – Burley Fire/Heyburn Fire Department
Region: Idaho, Washington, Alaska
[email protected]

“I climb for my friends & family that suffer from blood cancers. I’m not a fast climber but my motivation is to raise as much money as I can to bring awareness and help find a cure for blood cancers. Being part of this event Is something special and I love coming back every year.”

Fundraising tip: Be creative, get out in the public, fill the boot events.

Keith Johnson – North County Regional Fire Authority
Region: Snohomish County and throughout Washington
[email protected]

“I started climbing as a fitness goal, and later for fellow firefighters that were diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma. Shortly after I started my Ambassador role, I became really passionate about raising money for curing blood cancers, because of a related death at my career department and my volunteer department in 2016. I continue that role because our ambassador team, and all our climbing participants have made a difference in their honorees lives, and the mission.”

Fundraising tip: Communicate challenges to your team captain early, and obtain fundraising supplies for fundraising events early. Plan a fundraising event, for Super Bowl Sunday morning at a grocery store.

Mike Mann – Longview Fire
Region: Southwest WA, OR, and Idaho
[email protected]

“I’ve been climbing for 17 years and I started because of my cousin, Steve. I was further inspired by the survival of my friend Jim Piper to do more. I wanted to be part of the Ambassador Team to have a larger role in helping others achieve their goals.”

Fundraising tip: Make it personal for those people you want to get involved. They have to be able to relate. I know its hard for us firefighters to ask of anything from anybody, but this isn’t for us – it’s for those that need our help. Everyone knows someone in the community that has cancer. Make them your poster child as to why you do it.

Nathan Richard – Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department

Region: South & East Coast

[email protected]

“In 2015, I was hospitalized with a DVT blood clot that changed my life and put me on blood thinners indefinitely. In 2021, as I neared graduation from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Police Academy, my body threw another curveball — another clot that led to a massive pulmonary embolism. Over 90% of my lungs were blocked, and I was rushed to San Diego for life-saving surgery. I spent two days in a medically induced coma, uncertain of what the future would hold.
That experience became a turning point. I made a promise to dedicate myself to a cause that helps those living with pain, uncertainty, and blood disorders. The pain I went through will never compare to what families face when battling leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers — but it gave me a deeper understanding of their fight.
On March 21, 2027, I’ll join more than 2,000 firefighters from across the United States and around the world to climb 69 flights and 1,356 steps — a vertical elevation of 788 feet — up the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. It’s the second tallest building west of the Mississippi and home to the Sky View Observatory, overlooking the Emerald City.
We climb to honor those who can’t, to remember those we’ve lost, and to support those still fighting.“

Fundraising tip: Use your talents to inspire others to give! Being from New Orleans and having over 20 years of experience as a chef, I love giving back by donating my time cooking for local firehouses. They always “pass around the boot” — and they always give! I also love woodworking, so I’ve turned that passion into a fun giving challenge. Through social media, I host friendly competitions where I make homemade king cakes and handcrafted cutting boards as prizes for my top donors. Get creative, keep it fun, and use your own expertise to make a difference. When you share a piece of yourself, people are more inspired to share in your cause.

Pete Bishop – Polson Fire
Region: Montana
[email protected]

“It all started as challenge with another firefighter. Our first year 2012, we had a team of four climbers. We have had at least 5 climbers every year since. Ten years ago my grandson was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was able to attend the climb with me. A couple years later my sister also had Lymphoma and I climbed for her that year.

I enjoy attending the climb, raising funds and have always thought the climb was well run. When I heard that a ambassador position was open I decided that it was another way for me to help support an event that I love.”

Fundraising tip: Ask, so many people will donate it you just ask them.

Robert Hays – Tualatin Fire & Rescue
Region: Oregon
[email protected]

“I climb for those who need help. I climb for those who can’t climb for themselves, and that allow us to climb for them. I climb for progress in fighting for what supports others. I climb for people that I’ve never met. I climb for friends and family who have lost loved ones, and I climb for a better future, for progress and to hopefully put an end to blood cancer.

Fundraising tip: Be creative. Don’t rely just on family and friends. Brainstorm with your teams. If you can do fundraising events, go for it. If you can find sponsorships, go for it. Take advantage of giving Tuesday and any other opportunities you may have.

Scott Thorsteinson – King County Fire District 2
Region: Western WA
[email protected]

“I climb because luckily I still can. I do it for the ones fighting cancer and the ones that gave a great fight. The climb is not easy but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Fundraising tip: Set attainable goals, accomplish those and set new goals.

Soren Lowe – Lewiston Fire Department
Region: Washington, Idaho, & Alaska
[email protected]

“I climb for many reasons. The main reason why I climb is to remember those that have passed from blood cancers and to honor those that are currently battling some form of blood cancer. I climb to remind myself that even though the climb itself is grueling and painstaking, it still doesn’t compare to how painful it is for people fighting cancer. I climb to remind myself that each step I take is once step closer to finding cures for blood cancers. What motivates me to be a part of the ambassador team? That’s a great question! I love being part of such an awesome community of like minded individuals who want to put their passion into an area that needs so much more! Being part of Blood Cancer United and working with the other ambassadors is fascinating to me. Why? Because we all work together (Ambassadors and staff), build a bigger community (over two thousand firefighters), come together for an event like no other to not only climb 69 flights in full gear and on air, but to raise millions of dollars to help find cures for blood cancers!“

Fundraising tip: Be involved, be passionate, and give it your all in finding ways to fundraise. Reach out to your ambassadors if you need help!

Tiago Pacheco – Okanogan County Fire District #6
Region: Washington
[email protected]

“I started volunteering with my local fire department in 2014 as a way to give back, and a year later I joined our departments Stairclimb team. Fundraising and helping my community quickly became something I truly loved, but it became personal when our fire chief, who was also my neighbor, passed away from blood cancer a few short years after diagnosis. As a business owner, I now fundraise each year by simply asking my customers to support my climb, and I’m constantly reminded by their stories how much cancer doesn’t discriminate and how it can touch anyone at any time. It’s humbling to be part of this event alongside such incredible climbers, and even when I don’t feel worthy standing next to them, it only motivates me more to keep climbing, raising awareness, and giving back.”

Fundraising tip: Be shameless and just ask people for money. Seriously. And use the fundraising events that have been part of the Stairclimb for years, like having the stair climber outside a grocery store, Fill the Boot, and anything else that gets you out there talking to people.

Thomas Clawson – Portland Fire
Region: Oregon
[email protected]

“Climbing since 2012, first as captain of the Sisters Fire team. Member and captain of Portland Fire’s team since 2016. First-year ambassador. Currently assigned as a firefighter on E3A in Portland’s Pearl District. My baby sister Shannon (besides being a total rockstar) is the captain of the Eugene Fire Dept. team. Can’t wait for 35th Anniversary Climb, and celebrating my good friend – event Honoree, Alan Lynn!”

Fundraising tip: Instead of focusing on the entire minimum or an ambitious goal, start with an amount that seems ridiculously manageable and set aside a specific time to work on it. For example, “this Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock I’m going to send a few text messages and see if I can raise $25.” The first few asks are the hardest. After a few successes, you will find your strategies that work for you. You will get more comfortable, knowing that people want to say yes, and want to help! Any progress is good progress.

Tiffany Honey – Whatcom County Fire Department
Region: Western Washington & Alaska
[email protected]

“I climb so that someday someone won’t have to experience what my family and I went through when I was diagnosed. The tears…the questions…the unknowns…the worries…There are so many emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis and someday no one will have to experience them. I’m excited to help others as we step up this year, and support firefighters in being successful fundraisers and climbers.”

Fundraising tip: Just ask! It seems so simple and easy but truthfully you’d be surprised at the amount of yes’s you get just by asking.

Travis Bootes – Cloverdale Fire Department
Region: Oregon & Alaska
[email protected]

“I climb in the firefighter stair climb to stand with those who are facing the hardest fight of their lives — the fight against blood cancers. Each year, I put on my gear and step into that stairwell not just for myself, but for the families, survivors, and those we’ve lost. Every floor, every step, is a symbol of their courage, their endurance, and their hope.

Being an ambassador is an incredible honor. It gives me the opportunity to share why this mission matters, to remind people that the climb isn’t just about firefighters or one group of people — it’s about all of us. Blood cancers affect families, friends, and communities everywhere, and together we can help shoulder that weight.

For me, reaching the top is more than finishing a climb — it’s carrying a message of strength, solidarity, and the belief that we can create a future without these diseases. I climb because hope is worth the effort, because lives are worth the fight, and because every step we take together brings us closer to a cure.”

Fundraising tip: Ask family and get on social media and also get out in the community and do some basic fundraising stand in front of the local grocery store and you would be amazed what people will do for the fire service.

Ty Whalen – Missoula Fire
Region: Montana
[email protected]

“I have been traveling to Seattle to climb for 5 years now, and every year I am reminded of why it matters so much to me. We all get the privilege to go spread the word about Blood Cancer United and the work they do, interact with our communities, and cap all the effort off with one of the greatest tests of firefighter physical fitness out there. Serving as an ambassador is definitely an honor. I am sincerely looking forward to be able to spread the message and gather support not only for Blood Cancer United, but for the firefighter stairclimb.

Something that motivates me personally is gaining support and participation in our Open Division at the climb. Climbing without turnout gear is a big change for those who have been climbing for many years, but I promise it is still plenty difficult and just as impactful to those we are climbing for! All without unnecessary exposure to our gear which has been shown to contain chemicals that cause cancer, the very thing we gather in Seattle to fight against.”

Fundraising tip: If asking individuals for donations isn’t really your jam, consider hosting an event in partnership with a local business! We have had great success bringing a stair climber to local gyms and breweries, and climbing while hosting an open house!