Team BON Supports Lung Health Efforts By Participating in Scale the STRAT

Several Bank of Nevada employees were among the hundreds of climbers who participated in the American Lung Association in Nevada's 'Scale the STRAT' event in February of 2023.

The annual 'Fight For Air' climb consists of 1,455 steps and 108 floors to the top of the STRAT Hotel, Las Vegas' tallest building. The Team BON members who made the challenging trek included: Walter Hashimoto, Kim MacClafferty, Jonathan Ponce, Lily Mao, Lauren Chung, Nicole Delgado and Renee Ohm.

For some members of the team, this has become an annual event. Team Captain Walter Hashimoto has participated in Scale the STRAT for five years and has continuously worked to bring new Bank of Nevada team members along.

"The very first time I did Scale the STRAT, I recently had found out that a relative had been diagnosed with lung cancer," said Hashimoto. "Coincidentally, I had a friend that just went to work with the American Lung Association here in Las Vegas, and she told me about the event."

Those reasons and the fact that Hashimoto leads Bank of Nevada's medical lending team convinced him that he had to support this event. Bank of Nevada has officially sponsored Scale the STRAT for several years. 

Bank of Nevada's Nicole Delgado committed to participating in Scale the Strat this year for the first time. Although she works out at the gym regularly, this event was challenging.

"I consider myself in good shape, yet the climb was still physically challenging," said Delgado. "I may have overestimated my ability early on, and it took a few floors to recover and find my pace to endure."

Her advice to those thinking about taking part next year? "Do it! Just take your time and you will get it done."

With help from friends, family, co-workers and even customers, Team BON was among the top fundraising teams this year, bringing in more than $4,000 in donations. The American Lung Association in Nevada will use those funds to support the chapter’s lung health education, advocacy and research efforts. 

In addition to this year's climbers, Bank of Nevada's Laura Linton, Joey Salmon and Christina Weick were team members and while they didn't make the trek to the top, they each raised the required donations allowing them to climb.