What is this book about?
“Breathe, Just Breathe” is a book of portraits and biographies of women who have been diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis disease (LAM). When thinking about this book, I reflected on my own life and how it has changed since being diagnosed with LAM. I thought about the transformation I’ve made from being sick with the disease and thinking my life was over, to the present and how I am living life despite my disease. My hope is that anyone who is suffering with a chronic medical condition, not just those living with LAM, will be inspired to not let their disease define who they are or keep them from living a fulfilled life. You will discover from the stories of these phenomenal women that we are not just coping, we are living! I hope that this book will also bring a global awareness of LAM and raise funds for the LAM Foundation.
Why do I need funding?
As a professional photographer, this has been a personal passion project of mine for several years. I’ve invested my own money to travel to multiple cities to capture these portraits, and your contributions will cover the cost of printing the actual book.
What is LAM?
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (lim-FAN-je-o-LI-o-MI-o-ma-TO-sis) is a rare lung disease that usually strikes women during the prime of their lives. Known as LAM for short, this disease is characterized by an abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells, especially in the lungs, lymphatic system and kidneys. Unregulated growth of these cells can lead to loss of lung function, accumulation of lymph rich-fluid in the chest and abdomen and growth of tumors in the kidneys.
LAM is a progressive disease but its progression is usually slow. Lung function tends to decrease over time. Many LAM patients will, at some point, require oxygen therapy. Although great strides have been made in researching the disease, there is no cure for LAM. However, treatment with the drug sirolimus may improve lung function in some women with LAM. Oxygen therapy is required for women with moderate to advanced lung disease. Lung transplantation is often considered for very advanced LAM. While many women with LAM add several years to their lives through lung transplantation, it is not a cure.
The LAM Foundation’s Mission
The LAM Foundation urgently seeks safe and effective treatments, and ultimately a cure, for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) through advocacy and the funding of promising research. We are dedicated to serving the scientific, medical and patient communities by offering information, resources and a worldwide network of hope and support.
T-shirt Design
My goal is to get the books and t-shirts printed by the beginning of the new year so that they can be distributed by February. I’ve never printed a book before so I’m sure there will be some bumps along the way. I’ve been in detailed communication with my printer in hopes of making the process go more smoothly.