The Cultural and Sports Association of the Barcelona Firefighters is organising the 8th Barcelona Firefighters Charity Nautical Mile, which this year will raise funds for the Spanish Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Association (AELAM). The aim is to continue advancing in research to improve diagnosis and find a treatment for this minority disease that today doesn't have a cure.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a minority disease of unknown origin and difficult diagnosis that mainly affects women of childbearing age. It is characterised by an abnormal growth of cells in the lungs, resulting in a pathology that destroys the organ in a slow but steady progression. LAM does not have a cure, but there is a drug called rapamycin which, in most cases, slows down the progression of the disease. If the medication is unsuccessful, a complete lung transplant is necessary.
The AELAM Association supports LAM research led by Dr. Miquel Àngel Pujana, principal investigator of the Breast Cancer and LAM research group at the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) and linked to the Biomedical Research Institutes of Girona (IDIBGI) and Bellvitge (IDIBELL). ‘Our research aims to identify biomarkers that facilitate non-invasive diagnosis of this minority disease,’ says Dr. Pujana, who adds: ‘In parallel, we are also investigating targeted therapies to completely eliminate LAM cells in patients.
AELAM has been collaborating with this research group for nearly 10 years now: ‘We are deeply grateful for the continuous support of the AELAM Association for our LAM research. The involvement of patients in funding and their support for research are fundamental pillars that drive the translation of our discoveries into tangible advances in the care of this disease,’ stresses Dr Pujana.
Four categories of Mile 2024
The Cultural and Sports Association of the Barcelona Firefighters is organising the 8th Barcelona Firefighters Solidarity Nautical Mile, a non-competitive aquatic crossing to be held on Sunday 30 June at 10 a.m. on Bogatell Beach, next to the Nautical Base. Participants will be able to choose between four distances: Half Nautical Mile (926 metres), One Nautical Mile (1,852 metres), Two Nautical Miles (3,704 metres) and Three Nautical Miles (5,556 metres), with a maximum time of 2 hours to complete the event. Registrations can be made on the website of the Agrupación Cultural y Deportiva de los Bomberos de Barcelona: https://www.acebombersbcn.cat/viii-milla-nautica-solidaria-bombers-de-barcelona-2/
The registration fee is €15, with the funds raised going to the Spanish Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Association (AELAM). At the end of the crossing, there will be a raffle of material and experiences offered by the sponsors of the mile.
