ClimbingForKari

Kari's Klimbers - My 24th Climb - 2026

Kari’s Klimbers are taking the stairs again! Sunday, February 22, 2026

Steve’s Hustle Link: Click Here

Soooo, it would seem like any time I see a masked man with a knife I’m, like, “come at me bro!” As if last year’s bull$hit pancreatic cancer journey wasn’t enough, my latest medical adventure is “Constrictive Pericarditis” which is making me way more tired than I’ve ever been - other than when I was waiting for Kari’s beautiful lungs - and I will likely require cardiac surgery to address this. Yay! So - this year Kari’s teammate #7, Alex (who gave me one of her kidneys 14 years back) will be taking Kari’s #13 to the top with her sons Noah and Eli by her side.

This kinda sucks – but it’s also a perspective thang. Mom & Dad didn’t think I’d survive my teens with my cystic fibrosis. I’m 65. That’s, like, 375 in CF years! Fully half of lung recipients don’t live beyond 5 years – maybe 20% make 10 years. In April, I’ll have had Kari’s beautiful lungs for 26 years. Without a glitch. When my kidneys failed 14 years ago – Kari’s friend Alex had her hand up in a heartbeat offering her kidney – and it’s worked perfectly since.

This is about what I’ve been given, not what might be taken away. And all I’ve been given completely overwhelms other aspects of my life. Between my Laura, Kari and her family, Alex, soooo many medical professionals, Kari’s friends, and just so many friends supporting me - they are the ones who carried me when I needed them. They are the ones who make survival worthwhile – and I count you among them, Thanks.

There’s a little phrase that I hope defines me when I go – and I will go – but we’ll work to delay that as much as possible: Don’t cry because I’m gone. Smile because I was here.

Over 65 years I’ve been built up to face this nonsense – it still scares the living $hit out of me sometimes – but I still know I have to wander into that dark cave now and then sneering, “Come at me, if you dare…”. We all fight with strength we have – and often we fall back on those surrounding us to recharge.

But enough about me – this is about Kari. 26 years ago I was dying. And then I wasn’t. My lungs were failing after 39 years of struggling with cystic fibrosis. And then they weren’t. 26 years ago, a beautiful 17-year-old girl from Iowa passed away. Her name was Kari. Kari had told her family how strongly she felt about organ donation – she and her family saved my life. I now breathe with Kari’s lungs. Before Kari, I never understood what breathing well felt like – I never had the frame of reference for how I live now. Breathing with her lungs blows my freaking mind. This is something I do to keep Kari’s memory alive.

In less than 2 weeks, on Sunday, February 22, for the 24th time – my team will be taking the stairs 94 floors, 1,600+ steps, in Kari’s memory.

2026 will be my 24th climb and my team’s 23rd climb with Hustle Chicago for the Respiratory Health Association. Can you imagine what it feels like to live for 39 years with crappy lungs – dreading any flight of stairs – then receiving a gift of new lungs from a beautiful Iowa girl and her family? And then meet that family, and connect with friends and volleyball teammates who loved Kari. And have those friends and teammates come out year after year to celebrate Kari with you? Then – when you find yourself in trouble again with my kidneys failing, Kari’s friend Alex throws you a rope – gives you a kidney – and allows you to climb for many more years? They’re good people, and they help me understand who Kari would have become. And, I get to tell people that I’m slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa. (Yes – I adore Caitlin Clark…)

For the past 22 years I’ve had Kari’s crazy, lovable teammates, #15, #12, #9, #8, #7, #4, and #2 in the stairwells with me – last year Coach Terhark, Kari’s and the girl’s volleyball coach joined us! In the past, Kari’s family and many others who Kari grew up with have joined us. I love that they help me honor her.

I do this climb to tell people about Kari – and tell people about her goodness, and the goodness of her family and friends. – and I tell people about Alex, and the importance of organ donation. And we also do this for people with crappy lungs, like I had. RHAMC helps people breathe easier – they fund research in lung disease – they help people stop smoking – they help people with lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma, and other respiratory diseases live longer, easier lives.

Our cause touched Laura and me in another way. Nearly 11 years ago, my beautiful mom-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2015. Much to Laura’s dismay, moms and I were partners in mischief and finding the wrong foods to eat, particularly donuts. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, mom and I had some long chats about options, and the strength it takes to fight, and sometimes not fight. She chose to fight. Ironically – the chemo dramatically shrunk her tumors – it worked. But it was too toxic for the rest of mom and she did not survive. We do this to fund research so maybe next time – someone else’s mom-in-law has a better chance of hanging around and sneaking donuts with them.

Like so many important causes – Respiratory Health Association needs funding to help others. If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I or anyone on my team would be honored to receive a pledge. But, more than anything, I’d love it if you would check out my little website and read about the beautiful girl whose lungs I breathe with, as well as the beautiful girl who gave me her kidney – and the people who surrounded them, and surround me now – people who have allowed me to leap tall buildings.

To see my Hustle page or pledge me: Click Here

To see my website about Kari: www.ClimbingForKari.org

To find someone on my full team (click “Roster”): Click Here

Nice RHAMC story posted about me and the climb: Click Here

Being surrounded by people who knew and loved Kari, and by people who know and love me, is something that defies description. The support I’ve received from people like you has allowed me to tell so many people about Kari. In the past 24 years, our team has raised nearly a half million dollars – because of people like you. Thank you. Over the years I’ve done a fair amount of public speaking and, often enough when I walk into a room, more than one person pulls me aside and says, “You’re the one who climbs a hundred stories with your new lungs, and your donor’s friends!” And often enough, they already know Kari’s beautiful smile…. I am that guy – and I’m proud of that – and more than anything, I want them to know her smile. I will have Kari’s lungs for nearly 26 years when we climb – and her beautiful friend’s kidney for nearly 14 years. They have allowed me to more than I’d ever dreamed possible.

And finally, and very important to me – please consider organ & tissue donation and register to be a donor on your state’s donor registry. And, tell your family how you feel. I know a beautiful girl from Iowa who knew how she felt, and she told her family. I think about her every single day.

Love, Steve

Steve Ferkau

Chicago, Illinois

Kari’s Klimbers

BreathinSteven@gmail.com

www.ClimbingForKari.org

Hustle Link: Click Here

Kari's Klimbers - My 22nd Hustle Climb - 2024

Steve’s Hustle Link: ClickHere

24 years ago I was dying. And then I wasn’t. My lungs were failing after 39 years struggling with cystic fibrosis. And then they weren’t. 24 years ago, a beautiful 17-year-old girl from Iowa passed away. Her name was Kari. Kari had told her family how strongly she felt about organ donation – she and her family saved my life. I now breathe with Kari’s lungs. Before Kari, I never understood what breathing well felt like – I never had a frame of reference for how I live now. Breathing with her lungs blows my freaking mind. This is something I do to keep her memory alive…

Tomorrow, on Sunday, February 25, for the 22^nd time, I’ll be taking Kari’s beautiful lungs up a bunch of stairs. 94 floors – 1,600+ steps.

2024 will be my 22^nd climb – And it will be the 21^st time our Kari’s Klimbers have taken the stairs for Hustle Chicago. This climb really means an awful lot to me and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Can you imagine what it feels like to live with crappy lungs for 39 years – then receive a gift of new lungs from a beautiful Iowa girl and her family. And then to meet that family, and connect with friends and teammates who loved Kari… And have them come out year after year to celebrate Kari with you. And then, when you find yourself in trouble again with my kidneys failing, Kari’s friend Alex throws you a rope – gives you a kidney – and allows you to climb for many more years! They’re good people, and they help me understand who Kari would have become. And, I get to tell people that I’m slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa.

For the past 20 years I’ve had Kari’s crazy, lovable teammates, #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 & #2 in the stairwells with me, and now some of their kids climb with us – in the past, Kari’s family and several other people Kari grew up with joined us… I love that they still come out and help me honor her…

I do this climb to tell people about Kari – and tell people about her goodness and the goodness of her family and friends – and I tell people about Alex and the importance of organ donation. And we also do this for people with crappy lungs, like I had. RHAMC helps people breathe easier – they fund research in lung disease – they help people stop smoking – they help people with lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma and other respiratory diseases live longer, easier lives. One of RHAMC’s mottos has been, “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters…” I lived through that motto, and I know too many people living it now. The RHAMC and all these crazy people who climb with me, and you, help people breathe. We have a very special mission.

Our cause touched Laura and me another way 8 ½ years ago... My beautiful mom-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in fall of 2015. Much to my Laura's dismay, moms and I were partners in mischief and finding the wrong foods to eat, particularly doughnuts. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, mom and I had some long chats about options, and the strength it takes to fight, and sometimes not to fight. She chose to fight. Ironically - the chemo had dramatically shrunk her tumors - it worked. But it was too toxic for the rest of mom and she didn't survive. We do this to fund research so maybe next time - someone else's mom-in-law has a better chance of hanging around and sneaking doughnuts with them.

Like so many important causes – Respiratory Health Association needs funding to help others. If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I or anyone on my team would be honored to receive a pledge... But more than anything, I'd love it if you would check out my little website and read about the beautiful girl whose lungs I breathe with, as well as the beautiful girl who gave me her kidney - and the people who surrounded them, and surround me now – people who have allowed me to leap tall buildings...

To see my Hustle page or pledge me: Click Here

To see my website about Kari, go to www.ClimbingForKari.org

To find someone on my full Kari’s Klimbers team: Click Here

Being surrounded by people who knew and loved Kari, and by people who know and love me, is something that defies description… The support I've received from people like you has allowed me to tell so many people about Kari… In the past 22 years, our team has raised nearly a half million dollars - because of people like you… Thank you. I get to do a fair amount of public speaking and, often enough, when I walk into a room, more than one person pulls me aside and says, "You're the one who climbs a hundred stories with your new lungs, and with your donor's friends!!!" And, often enough, they already know Kari's beautiful smile… I am that guy, and I'm proud of that - and more than anything, I want them to know her smile. I will have had her beautiful lungs for over 24 years when I climb - and her friend's beautiful kidney for 12 years in May - and they have and will allow me to do more than I'd ever dreamed possible…

And finally, and very important to me - please consider organ & tissue donation, register to be a donor on your state’s donor registry, and tell your family how you feel. I know a beautiful girl from Iowa who knew how she felt, and she told her family - I think about her every single day.

Love, Steve

Steve Ferkau

Chicago, IL

Kari's Klimbers

BreathinSteven@gmail.com

www.ClimbingForKari.org

Kari's Klimbers - My 21st Hustle Climb

Steve’s Hustle Link: ClickHere

23 years ago I was dying. And then I wasn’t. My lungs were failing after 39years struggling with cystic fibrosis. And then they weren’t. 23 years ago, a beautiful 17-year-old girl from Iowa passed away. Her name was Kari. Kari had told her family how strongly she felt about organ donation – she and her family saved my life. I now breathe with Kari’s lungs. Before Kari, I never understood what breathing well felt like – I never had a frame of reference for how I live now. This is something I do to keep her memory alive.

In a little over a week, on Sunday, February 26, for the 21st time, I’ll be taking Kari’s beautiful lungs up a bunch of stairs. Because this crazy Covid-19 thing is still dangerous to us immune-suppressed, I'll be extra careful. Instead of Soldier Field, we'll be back climbing 94 floors to the top of the "Hancock" (the 875 North Michigan Avenue Building if you're not a Chicagoan.) This will be the 20th time my Kari's Klimbers have participated in the Hustle event for Respiratory Health Association of Metro Chicago. My team this year will be a little smaller, but still mighty.

For the past 18 years I’ve had Kari’s crazy, lovable teammates, #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 & #2 in the stairwells with me – In the past, Kari's family and several other people she grew up with tagged along… After holding off due to the pandemic, this year a bunch of them are back, and now some of their kids will be climbing with us!!!

2023 will be my 21st climb – And it will be the 20th time our Kari’s Klimbers have taken the stairs for Hustle Chicago. This climb really means an awful lot to me and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Can you imagine what it feels like to live with crappy lungs for 39 years – then receive a gift of new lungs from a beautiful Iowa girl and her family. And then to meet that family, and connect with friends and teammates who loved Kari… And have them come out year after year to celebrate Kari with me. And then, when you find yourself in trouble again, Kari’s friend Alex throws you a rope – gives you a kidney – and allows you to climb for many more years! I still have Alex's voicemail on my phone from October 2011 when she told me she was a good match to give me a kidney. She ended her message with, "Looks like there's something good about Algona, Iowa, and the girls that come from there." I couldn't agree more. And, now I get to tell people that I’m slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa… This picture is right after our surgery:

I do this climb to tell people about Kari – and tell people about her goodness and the goodness of her family and friends – and I tell people about Alex and the importance of organ donation. And we also do this for people with crappy lungs, like I had. RHAMC helps people breathe easier – they fund research in lung disease – they help people stop smoking – they help people with lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma and other respiratory diseases live longer, easier lives. One of RHAMC’s mottos has been, “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters…” I lived through that motto, and I know too many people living it now. The RHAMC and all these crazy people who climb with me, and you, help people breathe. We have a very special mission.

Our cause touched Laura and me another way 7 ½ years ago... My beautiful mom-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in fall of 2015. Much to my Laura's dismay, moms and I were partners in mischief and finding the wrong foods to eat, particularly doughnuts. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, mom and I had some long chats about options, and the strength it takes to fight, and sometimes takes not to fight. She chose to fight. Ironically - the chemo had dramatically shrunk her tumors - it worked. But it was too toxic for the rest of mom and she didn't survive. We do this to fund research so maybe next time - someone else's mom-in-law has a better chance of hanging around and sneaking doughnuts with them.

To see my Hustle page or pledge me: Click Here

To see my website about Kari, go to www.ClimbingForKari.org

To find someone on my full Kari’s Klimbers team: For Team For Roster

Being surrounded by people who knew and loved Kari, and by people who know and love me, is something that defies description… The support I've received from people like you has allowed me to tell so many people about Kari… In the past 21 years, our team has raised nearly a half million dollars - because of people like you… Thank you. I get to do a fair amount of public speaking and, often enough, when I walk into a room, more than one person pulls me aside and says, "You're the one who climbs a hundred stories with your new lungs, and with your donor's friends!!!" And, often enough, they already know Kari's beautiful smile… I am that guy, and I'm proud of that - and more than anything, I want them to know her smile. I will have had her beautiful lungs for nearly 23 years when I climb - and her friend's beautiful kidney for 11 years in May - and they have and will allow me to do more than I'd ever dreamed possible…

And finally, and very important to me - please consider organ & tissue donation, register to be a donor on your state' donor registry, and tell your family how you feel. I know a beautiful girl from Iowa who knew how she felt, and she told her family - I think about her every single day.

Love, Steve

Steve Ferkau

Chicago, IL

Kari's Klimbers

BreathinSteven@gmail.com

www.ClimbingForKari.org

Kari's Klimbers - My 20th Hustle Climb!

Steve’s Hustle Link: ClickHere

22 years ago I was dying. And then I wasn’t. My lungs were failing after 39 years struggling with cystic fibrosis. And then they weren’t. 22 years ago, a beautiful 17-year-old girl from Iowa passed away. Her name was Kari. Kari had told her family how strongly she felt about organ donation – she and her family saved my life. I now breathe with Kari’s lungs. Before Kari, I never understood what breathing well felt like – I never had a frame of reference for how I live now. This is something I do to keep her memory alive.

In a little over a week, on Sunday, May 15, for the 20th time, I’ll be taking Kari’s beautiful lungs up a bunch of stairs. Because of this crazy Covid-19 thing is still hanging on, I’ll be taking them up the stairs outdoors at Soldier Field instead of the 94 floors of the “Hancock” Building. This will be the 20th time I’ve participated in the Hustle event for Respiratory Health Association of Metro Chicago. My team this year will be quite limited, but still mighty.

For the past 17 years I’ve had Kari’s crazy, lovable teammates, #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 & #2 in the stairwells with me – along with her family and several other people Kari grew up with… The past few years, I’ve kinda asked them to hold off again – Chicago isn’t quite as lively has it has been in past years, and the traveling would involve more risk than I’d care to see.

2022 will be my 20th climb – And it will be the 19th time our Kari’s Klimbers have taken the stairs for Hustle Chicago. This climb really means an awful lot to me and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Can you imagine what it feels like to live with crappy lungs for 39 years – then receive a gift of new lungs from a beautiful Iowa girl and her family. And then to meet that family, and connect with friends and teammates who loved Kari… And have them come out year after year to celebrate Kari with you. And then, when you find yourself in trouble again, Kari’s friend Alex throws you a rope – gives you a kidney – and allows you to climb for many more years! They’re good people, and they help me understand who Kari would have become. And, I get to tell people that I’m slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa…

I do this climb to tell people about Kari – and tell people about her goodness and the goodness of her family and friends – and I tell people about Alex and the importance of organ donation. And we also do this for people with crappy lungs, like I had. RHAMC helps people breathe easier – they fund research in lung disease – they help people stop smoking – they help people with lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma and other respiratory diseases live longer, easier lives. One of RHAMC’s mottos has been, “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters…” I lived through that motto, and I know too many people living it now. The RHAMC and all these crazy people who climb with me, and you, help people breathe. We have a very special mission.

Our cause touched Laura and me another way 6 ½ years ago... My beautiful mom-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in fall of 2015. Much to my Laura's dismay, moms and I were partners in mischief and finding the wrong foods to eat, particularly doughnuts. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, mom and I had some long chats about options, and the strength it takes to fight, and sometimes not to fight. She chose to fight. Ironically - the chemo had dramatically shrunk her tumors - it worked. But it was too toxic for the rest of mom and she didn't survive. We do this to fund research so maybe next time - someone else's mom-in-law has a better chance of hanging around and sneaking doughnuts with them.

Like so many important causes – Respiratory Health Association needs funding to help others. If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I or anyone on my team would be honored to receive a pledge... But more than anything, I'd love it if you would check out my little website and read about the beautiful girl whose lungs I breathe with, as well as the beautiful girl who gave me her kidney - and the people who surrounded them, and surround me now – people who have allowed me to leap tall buildings...

To see my Hustle page or pledge me: Click Here

To see my website about Kari, go to www.ClimbingForKari.org

To find someone on my full Kari’s Klimbers team #1: Click Here

Team #2: Click Here Team #3: Click Here

Being surrounded by people who knew and loved Kari, and by people who know and love me, is something that defies description… While this year will be a little different, I know they will still surround my heart. The support I've received from people like you has allowed me to tell so many people about Kari… In the past 20 years, our team has raised nearly a half million dollars - because of people like you… Thank you. I get to do a fair amount of public speaking and, often enough, when I walk into a room, more than one person pulls me aside and says, "You're the one who climbs a hundred stories with your new lungs, and with your donor's friends!!!" And, often enough, they already know Kari's beautiful smile… I am that guy, and I'm proud of that - and more than anything, I want them to know her smile. I will have had her beautiful lungs for over 21 years when I climb - and her friend's beautiful kidney for 9 years in May - and they have and will allow me to do more than I'd ever dreamed possible…

Love, Steve

Steve Ferkau

Chicago, IL

Kari's Klimbers

BreathinSteven@gmail.com

www.ClimbingForKari.org

April 8, 2021 21 years ago today, I was dying. 21 years ago tomorrow – I was not. And these past 21 years have been beyond my wildest dreams. 21 years ago yesterday, a beautiful 17-year-old girl from Iowa passed away. Her name was Kari. Kari and her family saved my life. I now breathe with Kari’s lungs. Before Kari, I never understood what breathing well felt like – I never had a frame of reference for how I live now. In a little over a week, on Sunday, April 18, for the 19th time, I’ll be taking Kari’s beautiful lungs up a bunch of stairs. Because of this crazy Covid-19 thing we’ve been dealing with, I’ll be taking them up stairs outdoors at Soldier Field instead of the 94 floors of the “Hancock” Building. This will be the 19th time I’ve participated in the Hustle event for Respiratory Health Association of Metro Chicago. My team this year will be quite limited, but still mighty. For the past 16 years I’ve had Kari’s crazy, lovable teammates, #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 & #2 in the stairwells with me – along with her family and several other people Kari grew up with… This year, I’ve kinda asked them to hold off – Chicago won’t be as lively has it has been in past years, and all of the traveling would involve more risk than I’d care to see. 2021 will be my 19th climb – And it will be the 18th time our Kari’s Klimbers have taken the stairs for Hustle Chicago. This climb really means an awful lot to me and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Can you imagine what it feels like to live with crappy lungs for 39 years – then receive a gift of new lungs from a beautiful Iowa girl and her family. And then to meet that family, and connect with friends and teammates who loved Kari… And have them come out year after year to celebrate Kari with you. And then, when you find yourself in trouble again, Kari’s friend Alex throws you a rope – gives you a kidney – and allows you to climb for many more years! They’re good people, and they help me understand who Kari would have become. And, I get to tell people that I’m slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa… I do this climb to tell people about Kari – and tell people about her goodness and the goodness of her family and friends – and I tell people about Alex and the importance of organ donation. And we also do this for people with crappy lungs, like I had. RHAMC helps people breathe easier – they fund research in lung disease – they help people stop smoking – they help people with lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma and other respiratory diseases live longer, easier lives. One of RHAMC’s mottos has been, “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters…” I lived through that motto, and I know too many people living it now. The RHAMC and all these crazy people who climb with me, and you, help people breathe. We have a very special mission. Our cause touched Laura and me another way 5 ½ years ago... My beautiful mom-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in fall of 2015. Much to my Laura's dismay, moms and I were partners in mischief and finding the wrong foods to eat, particularly doughnuts. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, mom and I had some long chats about options, and the strength it takes to fight, and sometimes takes not to fight. She chose to fight. Ironically - the chemo had dramatically shrunk her tumors - it worked. But it was too toxic for the rest of mom and she didn't survive. We do this to fund research so maybe next time - someone else's mom-in-law has a better chance of hanging around and sneaking doughnuts with them. Like so many important causes – Respiratory Health Association needs funding to help others. If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I or anyone on my team would be honored to receive a pledge... But more than anything, I'd love it if you would check out my little website and read about the beautiful girl whose lungs I breathe with, as well as the beautiful girl who gave me her kidney - and the people who surrounded them, and surround me now – people who have allowed me to leap tall buildings... To see my Hustle page or pledge me: Click Here To see my website about Kari, go to www.ClimbingForKari.org To find someone on my full Kari’s Klimbers team: Click Here Being surrounded by people who knew and loved Kari, and by people who know and love me, is something that defies description… While this year will be a little different, I know they will still surround my heart. The support I've received from people like you has allowed me to tell so many people about Kari… In the past 19 years, our team has raised over $400,000.00 - because of people like you… Thank you. I get to do a fair amount of public speaking and, often enough, when I walk into a room, more than one person pulls me aside and says, "You're the one who climbs a hundred stories with your new lungs, and with your donor's friends!!!" And, often enough, they already know Kari's beautiful smile… I am that guy, and I'm proud of that - and more than anything, I want them to know her smile. I will have had her beautiful lungs for over 21 years when I climb - and her friend's beautiful kidney for 9 years in May - and they have and will allow me to do more than I'd ever dreamed possible… And finally, and very important to me - please consider organ & tissue donation, register to be a donor on your state' donor registry, and tell your family how you feel. I know a beautiful girl from Iowa who knew how she felt, and she told her family - I think about her every single day. Love, Steve Steve Ferkau Chicago, IL Kari's Klimbers BreathinSteven@gmail.com www.ClimbingForKari.org

Kari’s Klimbers – Taking the Hustle Chicago Stairs Our 18th Time in 2020

Steve’s Hustle Link

Last year was very special to me. On my 10th climb, along with Kari’s crazy-beautiful friends who come out every year - Kari’s family came out. Her sister and cousin climbed with us - her mom and god-mom waited at the top. Last year - my 17th climb - Kari’s niece & nephew, Eva Kari & Garrett and their parents Alyssa & Charlie were in the stairwells with us. Kari’s mom was there too. And we were splashed in Kari’s favorite colors - rainbow tie-dye. We were loud and proud! That’s Eva Kari in the picture on the right.

Kari never met Eva & Garrett - she would adore them. They are fun, amazing, good young human beings... And can you imagine how I felt having them included in all the amazing people who surround me in that stairwell? I’ve been breathing with Kari’s beautiful lungs for nearly 20 years - the first 39 years of my life I struggled, and I never-ever imagined breathing could feel this amazing. I never imagined life could be this easy. And 12 years after receiving Kari’s gift, Kari’s beautiful friend, Alex, gave me one of her kidneys when mine failed and I thought this all might be ending. So far, Alex has given me another 8 years with Kari’s lungs.

I think about their daughter/sister/aunt/friend throughout the day, every day. I wish Kari were here climbing with us - even though that might not be the best for me. What I know of her is amazing. That her friends have joined me for 14 years serves to confirm that she was amazing. That one of her friends would give me her kidney when I was in trouble reminds me how special organ donors, alive or alive in spirit, truly are. I hope that Kari would be proud of the legacy she’s left - I think she would.

2020 will be my 18^th climb – And it will be the 17^th time our Kari’s Klimbers have taken the stairs 94 floors, 1,632 steps to the top of the (former) John Hancock Center for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. “John Hancock Center” has undergone a name change - therefore our climb is shortening to “Hustle Chicago”! I’m certain the shorter name will make the climb feel shorter! (Laura will confirm I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed...)

This climb really means an awful lot to me and I wouldn't miss it for the world. This will be the 18^th time I strut my fanny up the steps at the Hancock and this is my team's 17^th climb. Kari was #13 on her high school volleyball team – And as they have for about 14 years now – her crazy, lovable teammates, #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 & #2 will be in the stairwells with me – along with several other people Kari grew up with – and 80+ people on my team. And, the kidney #7 gave me is working as awesomely as the lungs #13 gave me. And last year when Kari’s beautiful niece came out of the stairwells, and found she climbed 94 floors in 21 minutes, she said, “Next year I’m breaking 15 minutes!” I’m looking forward to Eva and Garrett flying.

Can you imagine what it feels like to live with crappy lungs for 39 years – then receive a gift of new lungs from a beautiful Iowa girl and her family. And then to meet that family, and connect with friends and teammates who loved Kari… And have them come out year after year to celebrate Kari with you. And then, when you find yourself in trouble again, Kari’s friend Alex throws you a rope – gives you a kidney – and allows you to climb for many more years! They’re good people, and they help me understand who Kari would have become. And, I get to tell people that I’m slowly being rebuilt into a girl from Iowa…

Our cause touched Laura and me another way 4 years ago... My beautiful mom-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in fall of 2015. Much to my Laura's dismay, moms and I were partners in mischief and finding the wrong foods to eat, particularly doughnuts. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, mom and I had some long chats about options, and the strength it takes to fight, and sometimes takes not to fight. She chose to fight. Ironically - the chemo had dramatically shrunk her tumors - it worked. But it was too toxic for the rest of mom and she didn't survive. We do this to fund research so maybe next time - someone else's mom-in-law has a better chance of hanging around and sneaking doughnuts with them.

If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I or anyone on my team would be honored to receive a pledge... But more than anything, I'd love it if you would check out my little website and read about the beautiful girl whose lungs I breathe with, as well as the beautiful girl who gave me her kidney - and the people who surrounded them, and surround me now – people who have allowed me to leap tall buildings...

To see my Hustle page or pledge me: Click Here

To see my website about Kari, go to www.ClimbingForKari.org

To find someone on my full Kari’s Klimbers team: Click Here

Being surrounded by people who knew and loved Kari, and by people who know and love me, is something that defies description… And the support I've received from people like you has allowed me to tell so many people about Kari… In the past 18 years, our team has raised over $400,000.00 - because of people like you… Thank you. I get to do a fair amount of public speaking and, often enough, when I walk into a room, more than one person pulls me aside and says, "You're the one who climbs a hundred stories with your new lungs, and with your donor's friends!!!" And, often enough, they already know Kari's beautiful smile… I am that guy, and I'm proud of that - and more than anything, I want them to know her smile. I will have had her beautiful lungs for almost 20 years when I climb - and her friend's beautiful kidney for 8 years in May - and they have and will allow me to do more than I'd ever dreamed possible…

And finally, and very important to me - please consider organ & tissue donation, register to be a donor on your state's donor registry, and tell your family how you feel. I know a beautiful girl from Iowa who knew how she felt, and she told her family - I think about her every single day.

Love, Steve

Steve Ferkau

Chicago, IL

Kari's Klimbers

BreathinSteven@gmail.com

www.ClimbingForKari.org