Brett, Kyle and Todd Krache spent time together jumping on their family’s trampoline and hanging out.
Now, the oldest Krache brother, Brett, will climb 69 flights of stairs in memory of his baby brother, Todd.
Todd, of Silverdale, died Nov. 30, 2008 at the age of 21 from complications with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Brett, 26, is a Fall City firefighter and will take part in the 18th annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb March 8, with all proceeds benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
“This is the first year I’ve had a reason to do it outside of being a firefighter,” Brett said.
Todd was born with tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in different organs. He didn’t develop lymphoma until shortly before he died, according to Brett.
Brett, a 2000 Klahowya Secondary School grad, said he hopes to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in remembrance of his brother.
“I really just kind of chose a high number. I just thought it would be a good goal to try and raise,” he said.
Firefighters from across the country participate in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. It is a timed race up 69 flights of stairs, which is 1,311 steps up to the top of the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. Firefighters wear their full firefighter gear during the climb. They raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in order to participate in the event.
Brett participated in last year’s stairclimb, but raised less than $1,000. For this year’s event, however, he’s raised nearly $3,000 and there’s still two months to go.
He said it feels amazing to have his family’s, friends’ and co-workers’ support and hopes to reach his goal of $10,000.
His family was told from Day 1 that Todd wouldn’t live to see age 16, but with the support of family and friends, he lived past his teens, Brett said. He, Todd and Kyle, 25, were always very close and enjoyed doing outdoor activities together, he added.
“The three of us were really close,” Brett said.
He said Todd was “an unforgettable person” and everyone loved him. He plans to participate in the stairclimb every year in memory of his brother.
“Everybody who ever met him would never forget him,” he said. “He was a guy that never did wrong for anyone.”
Brett said even if he doesn’t reach his $10,000 goal, he’s happy to donate what money he has collected to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He added that he knows Todd would be pleased to see him support this cause and climb 69 flights of stairs, all for him.
“I know he is happy,” Brett said. “Looking down, I know he’s very happy.”
To donate money to Brett’s Scott Firefighter Stairclimb campaign, visit www.firefighterstairclimb.org and click on “Donate Now.” Search for “Brett Krache” and click on “Support Brett” once directed to his Web page.
