The New Zealand LAM Charitable Trust

The New Zealand LAM Charitable Trust was set up in 1999.

Its purpose is threefold:

1. The Trust offers support and information to women diagnosed with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).
2. The Trust raises awareness of the condition by educating both the medical and lay communities about the disease.
3. The Trust raises funds to support ongoing scientific investigation in New Zealand which is part of a world wide collaborative effort to find a cure for this devastating disease.

The Trust is committed to providing opportunities for New Zealand LAM patients to contact each other, within NZ and around the world.

Because many physicians are unfamiliar with LAM, the condition is frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. The Trust is committed to disseminating information to help general practioners and respiratory specialists recognise the early symptoms of LAM by hosting biennial basic research conferences within NZ and supporting ongoing scientific investigative programmes at the University of Auckland.

The Trust ensures that respiratory clinicians and basic researchers working in NZ have the opportunity of attending the annual LAM conference in the USA as well as ensuring the maximum use of funds to support research programmes here in NZ.

LAM Webisodes are short video clips featuring interviews with four LAM patients, a General Practitioner, a Research Scientist and the Trust's Director, which are designed to enhance information and understanding about LAM. These have been produced by Southern Moon Productions for the LAM Trust, January 2012, with funding from Pub Charity.

LAM for GPs is a series of short videos launched in October 2014 to help doctors gain more awareness of LAM presenting symptoms and learn about drug therapy.