TAMPA, Fla. — On Saturday, hundreds of people climbed to the top of the Bank of America building in Tampa for a good cause.

The American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb raised funds and awareness for lung disease.

What You Need To Know

The American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb returned to Tampa on Saturday

More than 700 people climbed the Bank of America building

Climbers went up 42 floors and more than 900 steps

All funds raised will go toward programs that support the 2.8 million Floridians living with lung disease

According to the American Lung Association, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer every two minutes.

About 700 people, including firefighters, made their way to the top floor of one of Tampa’s tallest buildings.

“No better thing than doing this, because if you can’t breathe, nothing else matters,” said climber Bobby Paolini.

Paolini works in immunodiagnostics and talks to health care providers about their patients’ allergies and breathing sensitivities. That’s why he’s back at this fundraiser for a third straight year.

“I just know what it looks like on the side of those who are struggling, who are in need, whether it be for research, for treatment and it hits home in that way,” he said.

This climb raised more than $220,000.

Rob Hamilton, who is on the local board of directors for the American Lung Association, said the funds will go toward programs that support the 2.8 million Floridians living with lung disease.

“The money that we’re raising as a part of this awareness and this climb will be used in research that will hopefully ultimately allow us to cure this uncured disease,” said Rob Hamilton, a local board member for the American Lung Association.

After 42 floors and more than 900 steps, Paolini completed the Fight for Air Climb, so others can have a future with fewer lung complications

“The more stories I hear… the more I’m just motivated to do this and proud to do it,” Paolini said.

The Fight for Air Climb event is hosted in 40 cities across the country and has seen about 20,000 participants in the more than 35-year history of the event.