LAM, or lymphangioleiomyomatosis (lim-FAN-je-o-LI-o-MI-o-ma-TO-sis), is a rare lung disease. It mostly affects women in their mid-thirties and forties.

In LAM, abnormal, muscle-like cells begin to grow out of control in certain organs or tissues, especially the lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys.

Over time, these LAM cells can grow throughout the lungs and destroy the normal lung tissue. As a result, air can't move freely in and out of the lungs. In some cases, this means the lungs can't supply the body's other organs with enough oxygen.

This condition can cause pain and shortness of breath. Sometimes one lung will collapse over and over again. Pneumothorax is a serious condition that usually requires treatment and can sometimes be life threatening.

Our Goal and Mission: Create awareness around the symptoms and diagnosis of LAM disease by selling t-shirts to runners, walkers and spectators to wear on race day. The shirts will say it all.

You can help today by donating to the LAM Foundation, on behalf of Kim Mayes, using the button at the top of this page. You can also show your support by running in the Women's Half Marathon, and sporting a "Running for LAM" t-shirt, purchased through our website. You can also join us on our Facebook group page "Running for LAM", or e-mail this link to other friends and family and tell them about our cause.

Men are encouraged to participate in the race in support of a woman or charity, however there will be no awards or medals presented to male participants.