DERRY, N.H. -- A Derry firefighter will climb 68 flights of stairs next month to raise money for cancer research and to help a local girl involved in her own battle.
Ed Gannon is training for an international competition in Seattle where 1,500 firefighters will climb the stairs to help cancer research.
"I got involved in it last year in a competition between me and another firefighter over fitness, and I was training for the firefighter combat challenge, and I found the competition out in Seattle and felt it would be fun to go out and climb the building," Gannon said.
Three days a week, Gannon rises at 5:30 a.m., works out in a gym and then dons his full firefighting gear and hits the stairs. He climbs about 35 to 40 flights before moving to a Stair Master. Then, he finishes by pulling a 50- to 90-pound sled.
Gannon said he works so hard because of 8-month-old Abigail Crooker, who was born with cancer in her lower back. Through surgery and chemotherapy, she's doing well. Half of the $6,000 Gannon has raised is helping her family with expenses.
"Obviously, her medical bills are expensive," said her mother, Lea Crooker. "It's been such a help. It gives you comfort just to know you don't have to worry about that on top of everything else you're already going through."
The event is expected to raise more than $500,000 for cancer research. Gannon said he trains through the pain to relieve the suffering of others.
"Failure is not an option -- bottom line," he said.
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