THE FRIEND of Leamington woman with a rare life-limiting illness is pounding the pavement to raise money for vital medical
research into the condition.
Helen Sabin is one of only around 150 women in the UK with lymphangioleiomyomatosis – known as LAM – which causes cysts
to develop in the lungs and can make it difficult to breathe.
And on Sunday July 12, friend of a decade, Sue Coutts, will be taking part in the British 10K London along with colleague Suky Beard in aid of the charity LAM Action.
Sue said: “Helen always puts everyone else first and does not let the disease affect her, she is a very positive and warm individual, loved by her many, many friends and family.
“She is always the first person to offer help to anyone in need and also does a lot of work for other charities such as Help for Hero’s as well as LAM.
“I only found out about LAM following Helen’s diagnosis and felt it was my turn to help. I wanted to raise funds and awareness about the disease. I am, however, 47 and not a great runner so with the help of Suky I’m hoping to get through the challenge, albeit slowly, and do my best for LAM.”
Mum-of-two Helen was diagnosed with LAM after suffering a collapsed lung seven years ago and was told to seek medical advice by her father who is a retired GP.
The 45-year-old has been able to control the progression of LAM by taking the medication Rapamycin but uses an oxygen canister to help her breathe. She is unable to walk any great distance, can no longer run, or play her favourite sport of netball.
She said: “I can’t thank Sue and Suky enough – to give up their time and energy, not to mention the cost involved of having to travel to London and stay overnight, is incredibly generous and thoughtful.
“Without people like Sue and Suky I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to benefit from being able to take Rapamycin as the research would not have been funded.
“Sue has been a fabulous friend for the last ten years. She was the first person I went to after diagnosis and she has been there for me ever since.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/Sue-and-Suky-LAM-10K to donate and www.lamaction.org for further information about LAM action.
