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Team RAAM for LAM
Race Across America cycling race with Shawn VanGassen

Shawn is attempting solo Race Across America (RAAM) in June 2025 with a goal to raise at least $50,000 for The LAM Foundation!
 

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Shawn's Story

My name is Shawn VanGassen and I have been racing my bike for over 35 years. I am attempting solo Race Across America (RAAM) in June 2025 with a goal to raise at least $50,000 for the LAM Foundation.

RAAM is deemed "the world's toughest bike race." The race starts under the pier in Oceanside, California spans over 3000 miles, climbs 175,000 feet, crosses 13 states, and finishes on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The solo start occurs on June 10th, 2025 and racers are allotted roughly 12 days to complete the race.

In 2016, I developed pseudomonas aeruginosa in my lungs, which is a bacteria similar to pneumonia, due to bronchiectasis. For about a year, I was on and off antibiotics and ended up with a pic line in my arm for 2 weeks to attempt to clear the infection, which was very difficult to overcome. My friend, Patricia, who was diagnosed with LAM disease and is very knowledgeable about the lungs, offered good advice to help me clear my lungs. After learning just a little about LAM, it really put into perspective what I was dealing with compared to what those with LAM are dealing with. Even though I eventually put the infection behind me, I am still very cognizant about the health of my lungs. With just a tiny inkling of what those with LAM might be dealing with, I want to raise money to help my friend and all those fighting the disease.   

The LAM Foundation urgently seeks safe and effective treatments, and ultimately a cure, for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) through advocacy and the funding of promising research. The LAM Foundation is dedicated to serving the scientific, medical and patient communities by offering information, resources, and a worldwide network of hope and support.

*Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, progressive lung disease that affects women in the prime of their lives. Although great strides have been made in research, there is still no cure. 
The LAM Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization - EIN 31-1438001

For more information, please visit the Team RAAM for LAM website:
https://www.raamforlam.com

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