| CHICAGO – Registration for Go Vertical Chicago | | | | More information for Go Vertical Chicago will be |
| 2008, the annual charitable stair climb to the top of | | | | available from the event website at the Go Vertical |
| the Sears Tower, opens at 9 a.m. CDT Tuesday, | | | | Chicago website.. |
| June 10 at the “Go Vertical Chicago” website. | | | | |
| Entry for the Sears Tower stair climb, which takes | | | | About the Damon Runyon Cancer Research |
| place on the morning of November 9th, 2008, is | | | | Foundation: |
| limited to the first 2250 registrants, and will benefit | | | | The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation |
| the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. | | | | invests exclusively in top young scientists, recruiting |
| | | | | the best new minds into cancer research and seeding |
| Climbers will ascend 2,109 steps and 1,353 vertical | | | | their bold ideas. The Foundation offers an alternative |
| feet to the famous Sears Tower Skydeck | | | | to programs supported by the NIH and large |
| observatory for the best views in Chicago and the | | | | organizations, which typically favor senior scientists |
| satisfaction of having climbed the tallest building in the | | | | with established track records. |
| western hemisphere, all in support of cancer research. | | | | |
| | | | | Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has |
| | | | | invested over $200 million and funded more than |
| Go Vertical Chicago, in its seventh year, welcomes | | | | 3,000 young scientists. Eleven scientists supported |
| climbers of all ages and athletic levels. In past years, | | | | by the Foundation have received the Nobel Prize, and |
| stair climbers as young as 6 years old and as old as | | | | others are heads of cancer centers and leaders of |
| 79 have made their way to the Skydeck, and have | | | | renowned research programs. The Foundation |
| travelled from as far away as New Zealand to | | | | currently is funding more than 120 scientists at leading |
| participate. Elite stair climbers will compete for the | | | | medical centers and research institutions. This year, |
| top spot and try to break the record of 13:26 | | | | it will invest approximately $10 million in outstanding |
| minutes set in 2005. | | | | young minds. |
| | | | | |
| Some climb the Sears Tower for the pure challenge, | | | | 100% of all direct donations are used to support |
| some are cancer survivors, and many climb in | | | | scientific research. |
| memory of those lost to cancer or who are fighting | | | | |
| the disease today. Last year’s sold out event | | | | About Sears Tower |
| raised more than $340,000 for young cancer | | | | Sears Tower is the premier corporate office building |
| scientists whose innovative research is at risk due to | | | | in Chicago, offering more than 3.8 million square feet |
| funding cuts at the national level. | | | | of office and retail space. Located in Chicago's West |
| | | | | Loop at 233 S. Wacker Drive, the skyscraper is easily |
| Lorraine Egan, Executive Director of the Damon | | | | accessible by the commuter rail stations, highways |
| Runyon Cancer Research Foundation said, “Like | | | | and all forms of public transportation. |
| participants of Go Vertical Chicago, young cancer | | | | |
| researchers of today are audacious and determined, | | | | Standing 1,450 feet and 110 stories tall, Sears Tower |
| and this event is instrumental in enabling them to | | | | is the tallest building in North America and an integral |
| continue their discoveries of new ways to treat, | | | | part of Chicago’s culture. Originally opened in |
| prevent and diagnose cancer. We’ve expanded | | | | September 1973 as the corporate headquarters for |
| our participant count to cater for demand, and are | | | | Sears, Roebuck and Co., the building is now a |
| already receiving widespread interest in this | | | | multi-tenant office building, home to more than 100 |
| year’s event – from as far away as Vienna, | | | | different companies, including prominent financial |
| and also from many Chicago locals.” | | | | services firms, law firms and insurance companies. |
| | | | | |
| The entry fee for the Sears Tower stair climb is $35, | | | | Many Sears Tower offices boast spectacular vistas |
| plus a plus a guaranteed minimum of $55 in pledges. | | | | of Chicago, with views that can reach nearly 50 miles |
| Climbers are encouraged to raise sponsorship | | | | on a clear day. Sears Tower also boasts tremendous |
| through friends, family and colleagues. Participants | | | | infrastructure, which includes enormous |
| can climb individually or as part of a team, and there | | | | telecommunications capacity and unsurpassed |
| are reduced entry fees for individuals working at the | | | | electrical capacity and reliability. The Sears Tower |
| Sears Tower. | | | | Skydeck on the 103rd floor attracts more than 1 |
| | | | | million visitors per year. |