Indianapolis, IN
Hundreds climb Salesforce Tower to fund lung disease research
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hundreds of people climbed up the stairs of Indiana’s tallest building on Saturday to raise money for charity.
The American Lung Association hosted its 15th Fight for Air Climb at Salesforce Tower in downtown Indianapolis. Just over 500 people signed up before the event on Saturday. Participants were split into two groups — ultimate and general climbers — on their way up 47 flights for the event.
According to Tanya Hussain, the executive director of American Lung Association Indiana, it takes the ultimate climbers about six minutes to go up 47 flights of stairs for the event. Meanwhile, the average climber will take some time between 20 to 30 minutes to complete the trek.
Ultimate climber Jim Campbell is a firefighter in Pike Township. He set a goal of doing the climb 10 times on Saturday.
“Breathing clean air is very important to us, hence the air pack (on our backs),” Campbell said. “I’ve also had a couple of friends die from lung cancer. So, this is a cause that’s very near and dear to my heart. The folks at the American Lung Association are super.”
Also among the ultimate climbers was James Wigginton, who holds the record for climbing and descending 1 million stair steps — which took him 135 days.
The event welcomes many teams to take on the challenge. This year’s top fundraiser was Quarles Climbers for Maddie, raising $6,320 for the nonprofit.
It’s the tenth year Kirsten and Joel Tragesser have organized the team with coworkers and family friends. Over that time, they’ve raised about $116,000.
Like many participants, they have a connection to the cause. The couple lost their daughter Maddie to pulmonary hypertension when she was only three years old.
“Losing a child is one of the most sour things you can experience,” Kirsten said. “You do what you can to make something resembling lemonade, right? This is one way that I do (it), that Joel does at his firm, with our friends and family. It’s just really special.”
Money raised from the event funds the nonprofit’s efforts to research and educate about lung diseases. The American Lung Association also leads efforts in anti-smoking and clean air campaigns.
Local board member Dr. Anthony Ascioti says he sees Hoosiers face the issue every day as the Chief of Surgery at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital.
“Smoking is very big still in Indiana,” Ascioti said. “We see a lot of patients with emphysema, lung cancer, other lung diseases. So it’s a struggle to try and turn that tide. This is part of that process.”
The American Lung Association puts on climbs in 40 cities across the country. Nationally, about 20,000 people participate every year.
Skyscrapers in Boston, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, and Oakbrook, Illinois, also hosted Fight for Air Climbs on the same weekend.
Indianapolis, IN
IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and families in Indianapolis are encouraged to attend an immunization clinic next week.
The Indianapolis Public Schools district is hosting the clinic on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Shepherd Community Center on East Washington Street. It will be held from 4:30- 8 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, however, people are asked to complete the online registration form, use the enrollment code: IN65942, and select Shepherd Community-8/15/24.
People under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian consent. You are also asked to upload or send the immunization records for the person getting vaccinated and bring insurance cards.
Organizers say all insurance types will be accepted and billed (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). For people without insurance, there is no cost for vaccines – except for the Shingles and adult RSV vaccines, which may require a co-pay.
According to IPS, all CDC-recommended vaccines will be provided. If you wish to refuse a specific vaccine, please contact the Indiana Immunization Coalition at least 48 hours before the event at clinic@vaccinateindiana.org.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — JW Marriott Indianapolis is known for making sports “larger than life.”
For instance, the hotel has featured a large March Madness bracket on its windows in the past. Most recently, it featured an image of Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark in a Gatorade ad.
This past week, the hotel put a new image on the east windows of its building. The image features three members of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
News 8 Sports’ Andrew Chernoff asked Richardson about the image on Friday after the team’s training camp practice in Westfield, Ind.
“That’s definitely cool,” Richardson said. “I appreciate the city embracing me. It means a lot to me and lets me know I’m doing something right. I got a lot of support behind me. So, I’m thankful for it.”
The north window features the phrase “For The Shoe,” the official hashtag of the Colts on X, formally known as Twitter.
Richardson is gearing up for his second season as the Colts starting quarterback. Last year, his rookie season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.
He’s back healthy and ready to play a full 2024 season.
“It’s definitely easier to manage our offense now,” Richardson said. “I’m a lot more comfortable, a lot more comfortable with the calls when Shane (Steichen) is calling them. Then just looking at a defense, I’m able to scan the defense a lot longer and just check out what I’m going to have on a certain play. So I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in the offense, and I want to plan on continuing to get more comfortable in it.”
The Colts continue training camp on Monday when they practice from 2 p.m. EDT to 3:30 p.m. EDT at Grand Park.
The team’s first preseason game is just one week away when it hosts the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. EDT inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis, IN
Oregon Duck, Indianapolis Colt DT Closing in on Franchise Records
EUGENE – Former Oregon Duck and current defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, DeForest Buckner, is rising in the record books. The former Duck has established himself as one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL, and his impact on the Colts has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Buckner is just one sack away from breaking Ellis Johnson’s franchise record for most sacks in Colt history with 32.5 Sacks. While Johnson’s tenure with the Colts lasted seven seasons, Buckner is on track to beat this record in just his fifth year with the Colts.
His impact extends far beyond sacks. Buckner has already solidified his position as the Colts’ all-time leader in quarterback hits for defensive tackles with 87 total quarterback hits. Buckner is also on the cusp of claiming the crown for passes defended by a defensive lineman with 16 passes defended, third among Colts defensive linemen.
The defensive tackle’s ability to disrupt plays is evident in his tackles for loss. Buckner’s 42 tackles for loss places him fifth on the Colts’ all-time list. This season, Buckner has the chance to move to third in Tackles For Loss for the Colts behind Freeney and Mathis, passing Chad Bratzke and Raheem Brock with 4 more in the 2024 season. Buckner’s 281 total tackles and 166 solo tackles rank him third among Colts defensive tackles.
While Buckner’s achievements are more than impressive, it is important to note that sacks did not officially start being counted until 1982, nearly 30 years after the Colts became a franchise in 1953. Colts legends such as Art Donovan, Gene Lipscomb, and John Dutton played before sacks became an officially recorded statistic. Nonetheless, Buckner’s impact in the modern era is undeniable. His ability to command double teams creates opportunities for teammates to make plays is invaluable.
Buckner’s journey to the NFL began at the University of Oregon, where he played from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, Buckner was recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second on the team in tackles with 83 while also earning recognition as the team’s defensive Most Outstanding Player. Buckner was also awarded the prestigious Morris Trophy, an award voted on by opposing Pac-12 linemen.
As Buckner continues his Colts career, the possibility of breaking more franchise records is large. His combination of talent, work ethic, and leadership makes him a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Buckner is solidifying his status as one of the greatest defensive tackles in franchise history.
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