Known for hosting local charity events, The Pleasantville Recreation Center will open its doors Aug. 2 on behalf of the LAM Foundation. The event, called Zumbathon LAM Jam, will be led by local Zumba instructors and strives to raise awareness for the progressive lung disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Everyone who participates will receive a “Breath of Hope” wristband, which is the motto for the LAM Foundation. T-shirts will also be for sale, and all proceeds benefit LAM, which supports research for safe and effective treatments for the disease.
This event touches close to home for many at the Pleasantville Recreation Center, seeing as the daughter of PRC superintendent, Deborah L. Washington, was diagnosed with LAM at age 23. This genetic disease occurs almost exclusively in women, most likely during their child-bearing years.
Significant strides have been made in understanding, diagnosing and treating symptoms and complications of LAM. However, there is still an urgent need to build more awareness and continue raising research, goals the Zumbathon strives to achieve.
