CHICAGO (WLS) — One step at a time thousands made strides at Willis Tower to support the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Sunday marked the 17th Skyrise Chicago, an endurance event challenging participants to climb up more than 100 flights.
Climbing to the Willis Tower Skydeck, a total of 2,149 stairs.
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 13 years ago and I was determined to find ways to combat symptoms of Parkinson’s, so I looked at one of the finest hospitals in the area. Of course, it’s Shirley Ryan Ability Lab,” Marty Maibuecher, a patient of Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.
Proceeds garnered from Skyrise Chicago benefits the nonprofit continue its life-changing mission to advance ability for more than 50,000 adults and children globally each year.
More than $1 million were raised this year alone for the rehab hospital.
Chicago Police Sergeant Mike Dineen has walked up Willis Tower 17 times.
“2009 I suffered a traumatic brain injury.” Dineen said. “Shirley Ryan taught me how to walk and talk again and got my confidence again to go back to work. Right after I did it the first year, two weeks later I was back to work.”
Athletes range from current and former patients, hospital staff members, and loved ones – stepping it out together for this crucial cause.
“I was in the hospital for three weeks. Day rehab for six to nine months,” said Jason Colton who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2018.
Less than a decade later, he’s climbing to uplift and motivate others.
“It’s an amazing facility. It’s so important. Not just for our community but across the country and across the world,” Colton said.
ABC7’s Christian Piekos climbed to the top in 20:26 minutes, earning the station first place in the climb’s media division.
To learn more about the nonproft, click here.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.