Greetings... and thanks for checking in!

Once again the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab will host a (IMHO) death-defying fund-raising climb up 100+ flights of stairs at the Willis Tower.  And, once again, I plan to compete: huffing and puffing up those flights to raise money that will help support the hospital's important advances in patient care and cutting-edge research.  But I'm also doing this for my friends Walter Holt and Mark Stephan.  Both men were avid athletes and sportsmen whose active lives were curtailed by separate and unrelated accidents -- ones that paralyzed each of them from the neck down.

Lesser men, or ones without help from this amazing hospital, might have thrown in the towel.  But thanks to the amazing programs, people and technology at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, today live full lives: enjoying friends, family and this marvellous autumn weather.

SkyRise Chicago is truly a special event. It’s the only tower climb in the world to offer two modes of participation - by foot up the Willis Tower stairs and by hand-cycling the equivalent distance. These options give anyone, no matter their level of ability, the opportunity to participate. 

Help me as I challenge myself physically and mentally to complete the climb and support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a non-profit hospital. Your donation will help the research hospital continue to provide patients with world-class care for the brightest possible future. 

Tower up... and thanks!

Mack