Man jumps at chance to help

SHENANDOAH, Iowa — In one week Shenandoah native Keith Franzen will literally be taking the plunge by rappelling down Chicago's theWit hotel.

However, Keith's participation in the Skyline Plunge isn't to get an adrenaline rush, but rather to help raise money in the fight against lung disease, a cause close to his heart.

In early 2008, Keith's older brother, Larry, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

“It's something I'm passionate about because it has personally affected me,” Keith said.

The cause of IPF is unknown, but it causes permanent lung damage and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, the lungs lose all function.

“It's usually not discovered until it's well-progressed,” Larry said. “It's believed I had it for many, many years.”

A double-lung transplant Nov. 11, 2008, saved Larry's life, but by rappelling down the 27-story hotel, Keith hopes to help his brother by raising money and awareness for IPF, as well as other lung diseases such as lung cancer and asthma.

Keith will be one of about 100 people rappelling down the hotel during Skyline Plunge! Chicago, an event that is expected to raise more than $90,000 to help fight lung diseases.

Participants have all committed to raise at least $1,000. Keith has already raised $3,000 and is hoping to raise $5,000.

“Larry is an incredible and inspiring success story, but unfortunately there's still lots of people that aren't as fortunate, stubborn or as strong as Larry is to make it through something like this,” Keith said. “I hope I'm able to bring a little awareness to what IPF is and raise some money for research.”

Keith has only rappelled one other time in his life, when he was a teenager.

“It was at Camp Dodge during Boys State, but it wasn't 27 stories; more like a 100-foot tower,” he said.

The rapelling event is hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Keith said. The company Over the Edge will oversee the safety and logistical aspects of the event.

“When you have a family member that is ill, it's a surreal experience,” Keith said. “What I'm doing is small compared to what my brother, and others with lung diseases, have to go through.”

Keith is a 1986 graduate of Shenandoah High School and resides in the Chicago area.

Larry, a 1974 graduate of Shenandoah High School, currently resides in Jacksonville, Fla., and is an advocate for organ donation.

“I prefer to think that everybody's response is more about my brother's inspiring story and not everyone's desire to see me step off of a perfectly good building,” Keith said.