Body
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab will host the 18th annual SkyRise Chicago at Willis Tower, culminating at Skydeck Chicago.
During the event, more than 2,000 participants — including current and former patients and their families alongside Shirley Ryan AbilityLab staff, researchers, and clinical teams — will start their journey through the Skydeck museum before climbing up to Skydeck Chicago’s breathtaking observation deck on the 103rd floor. At the top, participants will celebrate their accomplishment by venturing onto The Ledge and taking in extraordinary views spanning across four states and up to 50 miles.
To accommodate participants with diverse abilities, entrants can choose to climb the stairs or hand-cycle on stationary machines that are calibrated to match the stair-climbing experience. Additionally, virtual options are available so that people can participate from any corner of the world by completing an activity that best suits their abilities.
Among this year’s participants is Michael "Gio" Giovingo, a Western Springs, Ill.-based ophthalmologist and father of three, who came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for inpatient and outpatient treatment after experiencing a spinal cord injury (SCI) in 2025.
“Recovery from an SCI is a long, tough process, and there are times when you don’t feel like you’re accomplishing anything,” said Gio. “But push for more and more, trust the process and keep going.”
Through intensive rehabilitation, Gio started to gain more sensation and control in his legs and feet — and then made rapid progress in his mobility as he re-learned to walk. He also participates in research at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Now, just over a year following his SCI, he recently ran in support of the hospital’s team at the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and, on Nov. 8, plans to participate in his second SkyRise. He will be climbing with a team of friends and family — including his wife and oldest daughter — by his side.
“Gio will be joined by fellow patients, staff and supporters who come together in a powerful celebration and display of ability,” said Pablo Celnik, MD, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab CEO. “We are grateful to the Willis Tower for once again welcoming our community and providing such an iconic setting for this meaningful celebration.”
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s quality clinical care and cutting-edge research advance ability for more than 50,000 adults and children around the world every year. As a nonprofit organization, the hospital’s work is supported by fundraising events such as SkyRise, which collectively raise millions of dollars in support of patients’ recoveries every year.
“Skydeck Chicago is proud to welcome Shirley Ryan AbilityLab back for SkyRise Chicago and to be part of an event that brings people together around a shared commitment to advancing human ability,” said Randy Stancik, General Manager of Skydeck Chicago. “Beyond the climb, participants can explore Skydeck’s interactive lower-level museum, celebrating Chicago’s history, neighborhoods and culture, offering an immersive introduction to the spirit of the city before reaching the finish line on the 103rd floor, where breathtaking skyline views and The Ledge await.”
One of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, Willis Tower opened in 1973 and has hosted SkyRise since the event’s inaugural year in 2009. Skydeck Chicago, the highest observation deck in the U.S., is located on the skyscraper’s 103rd floor and attracts over 1.2 million visitors annually. The Ledge, glass-floored balconies extending 4.3 feet from the building, offer unparalleled views of the city from 1,353 feet above ground. Skydeck Chicago is a can’t-miss, one-stop attraction to discover and see all that the city of Chicago offers from an incomparable vantage point, while experiencing an interactive lower-level museum celebrating Chicago's distinct personality, rich history, culture, cuisine and architecture.
