A firefighter in Spokane, Washington State, has supported a Midway ISD student, Michael Montague, who is fighting leukemia during the 2025 Climb for a Cure in Seattle to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Chris Nunley, a firefighter in Spokane shared: “We raise a bunch of money for Leukemia Lymphoma Society and it’s for firefighters, but it’s also for just the society in general and for guys like Michael, for people like my mom. It’s just a good way to raise money.”
Nunley said leukemia and lymphoma are common among firefighters because of the chemicals and gear, so, once a year, firefighters gather to Climb for a Cure, raising money and awareness not only for firefighters battling the cancers but also anyone impacted by the disease.
During the Climb for a Cure, firefighters put on all their gear and climb nearly 70 flights of stairs at the tallest building in Seattle, WA, the Columbia Tower. About, 2,000 firefighters participated in the climb and around $2 million was raised as a result.
In addition to the gear they wear, they put pictures of friends and family who have fought leukemia or lymphoma. Nunley added pictures of his mom, who had battled leukemia years ago and Michael.
Nunley shared of how the pictures acted as a movitation: “It gave a few of us a little bit more inspiration to maybe push a little bit harder.”
Nunley is originally from the greater Waco area and after moving to Washington state, he became a firefighter in Spokane.
Michael Montague is a 12-year old Midway ISD student who was diagnosed with leukemia more than a year-and-a-half ago. The community has continued to support and uplift Michael throughout his cancer battle.
Nunley heard about Michael’s fight with leukemia through his mom who still lives in Central Texas. Nunley’s family and Michael’s family have known each other for years as Michael’s mom taught Nunley’s sister at Midway ISD years ago.
Nunley said he completed the climb in 15 minutes. Once he got there, he Facetimed Michael, who shared: “It makes me really happy that people super far away support me and all the people around the world get supported by a lot of people. I have a lot of people that support me.”
Michael is now in remission and is slowly getting back on the baseball field. He hopes to ring the bell and celebrate the end of cancer treatment in 2026.
Michael Montague, a 12-year old boy who is fighting leukemia, was supported by firefighter Chris Nunley during the 2025 Climb for a Cure in Seattle.
