Michael Murphy, 25, of Evergreen Park, rappels 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy, 25, of Evergreen Park, rappels 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Before doing it himself, Michael Murphy (right), 25, of Evergreen Park, watches others rappel 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy, 25, of Evergreen Park, gets suited up in safety gear before rappelling 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy, 25, of Evergreen Park, wrote a message on a sign before rappelling 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy wrote "doin' this to honor the greatest person I know, my mom, Maureen! We miss you!" | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy, 25, of Evergreen Park, rappels 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

People rappel 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

A person rappels 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

People rappel 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy (right), 25, of Evergreen Park, learns about the equipment during a training session before rappelling 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy (left), 25, of Evergreen Park, goes through a training session before rappelling 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy (left), 25, of Evergreen Park, goes through a training session before rappelling 27 stories from the roof of theWit Hotel in Chicago Sunday, May 6, 2012 during the Skyline Plunge fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Murphy participated in honor of his mother, Maureen, who died from lung cancer. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Michael Murphy with his mom, Maureen Murphy.