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