Every time firefighter Steve Maruk suits up for the Wellspring Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge, he carries more than just his gear, he carries a Canadian flag. The flag, bearing his handwritten notes of every climb it’s been to, symbolizes more than Steve’s patriotism, it’s his talisman of resilience and hope.
“I’ve always had this Canadian flag in my garage, and when a team of us from Stettler did the climb in Calgary, I decided to bring it with me,” he said.
The following year, Steve trained and traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the 110 story 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb. Once again, he brought along the flag, and that’s when the tradition was born.
The next year a fellow fighter did the same climb across the border, and Steve sent the flag to accompany his friend. Since then, Steve has packed the flag for every climb—even the virtual ones during the pandemic—he had it tucked under his gear.
“I write on it where it’s been—what stairclimb it was a part of. I think of it as a cool memento for down the road when I’m old and frail and can’t remember things anymore. Or maybe my kids will pick up the torch and take it away,” he said.
As for the annual stairclimb challenges, these are more than just a physical feat, for Steve they are a deeply personal mission.
“My mom passed away from cancer in 2018,” he said. “She would sometimes come watch us train. We don’t have skyscrapers in Stettler, so we’d show up to train in full gear at 6 am at the rec centre. Sometimes she showed up too, just to cheer us on. I think it meant a lot to her.”
Steve climbs in honour of his mom, as well as others in his community and his circle of friends. People like Bernie Jackson, a local business owner and dear friend of his mother, who continues to face cancer with remarkable strength.
“Bernie’s been fighting cancer for years—it comes and goes—but she doesn’t give up. Her attitude is incredible,” Steve says. “I’ve climbed for her twice and I’ve given her the leg banners I wore with her name. She’s got them hanging in her store.”
Last year, the climb took on a new level of significance when fellow Stettler firefighter, Tony Cianfarani was diagnosed with cancer and was too sick to participate with his team. Steve and their other teammates surrounded Tony with support and encouragement and celebrated when he was well enough to completed the 2025 climb, exactly one year to the day after finishing chemotherapy.
For Steve, it’s important to be there for his teammates, and to stand in solidarity with all those who have to dig deep for strength just to live through adversity.
“People look up to firefighters—they appreciate the unthinkable things we do. But when I see people going through things like cancer—I know it’s a challenge to keep your mental game strong. And when they see us out there training for this event, climbing stairs for them, I think it gives them a bit of a boost,” he said.
And so, the climbs continue, the Canadian flag in tow, a symbol of hope and the power of compassion.
“If we can bring people a bit of hope, a smile, show them we care—that’s what it’s all about,” said Steve.
