Sheep farmer with 'one in a million' lung condition

A sheep farmer with a rare lung disease says anything that can help raise awareness about it is encouraging for those with the condition.

Anna Kerruish, 46, of Ballafayle Farm, Maughold, was diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis, known as Lam, at the age of 40.

She said living with the condition, which causes lung collapse and affects one in a million women, was "tough" because "you don't know what the outcome will be".

Her friend, Pippa Byrne, is taking one of the Isle of Man's most gruelling endurance challenges, the 85-mile (137km) Parish Walk, to raise awareness and funds for research about the rare condition.

The walk sees participants given 24 hours to reach the island's 17 parish churches, touching the gate or front door of each one along the way.

Kerruish said she initially noticed something was wrong when she started to experience breathlessness.

Although she at first thought she might be "just a bit unfit", several tests followed by a CT scan revealed cysts on her lungs that are systematic of the very rare lung condition.

She said being a sheep farmer, when she first heard the name she immediately thought the condition had something to do with her profession, but research showed it was a condition caused by a gene mutation that affects about 350 women in the UK.

"Within a few months, I had several lung collapses and then I had a double lung collapse in November 2020," she said.

"I've had surgery since and my lungs are now fixed to my chest to stop them collapsing."

Having quickly become dependent on oxygen full-time, she said managing the condition was "very hard".

"We had to give up the hill sheep, which I do miss a lot, but I struggle for breath just walking up the stairs now so I just couldn't do that anymore," she said.

"We now have 600 lowland ewes only, and I carry a can of oxygen in a rucksack. That weighs about six kilos, which is quite hard to carry all day.

"But I'm fortunate to have a good helper on the farm, Rachel Moore, so between us, we can still manage the flock we do have."

She said the rareness of the condition meant it was "a very, very unlucky diagnosis, I think".

"I'm in a position where there is a drug that helps to stabilise it but there isn't a cure, and the only outcome is lung transplants, but that's very much a last resort," Kerruish continued.

"Anything that helps research and promotion and funding for the disease is really helpful and kind of encouraging for someone in my position, because it's quite a tough diagnosis, you just don't know what the outcome might be really.

"Like lots of rare diseases, it's under-researched and it's just unknown, so I really appreciate Pippa just being able to raise awareness."

She said her friend was very mentally strong and had "the grit to get through" the challenge.

"I'll be out supporting her and hopefully see her at the finish line," she added.

Byrne herself is no stranger to the challenge, having taken part in the walk twice in the past and last completing it in 2024.

She said Kerruish's determination to carry on farming despite her diagnosis was the inspiration for taking it on this year, and "giving up is not an option".

"Despite living with Lam and having to rely on oxygen to function, Anna wakes up every day with determination and a positive attitude," she said.

Although many would be "overwhelmed" by the reality of her friend's situation, she said she continued "to push forward with courage and resilience".

"When the walk gets tough, I'll think of her strength and keep going," she added.

Participants in the 2026 Isle of Man Parish Walk have until 08:00 BST on Sunday to complete the route by crossing the finish line on Douglas Promenade.

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