Mesothelioma Awareness
Across the United States and around the world, people are working to raise awareness of lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Lung cancer research of all kind suffers from poor public perception. People are often less willing to donate to find a cure for a disease they perceive as preventable. What the public often fails to understand is that not all lung cancer is caused by cigarette smoking. Other causes include being exposed to smoke by other people, pollution, radon gas, and exposure to asbestos. Heredity is a factor that also comes into play, and like many other cancers, sometimes the cause is unknown. While malignant mesothelioma is not a type of lung cancer, many people are under the misperception that it is. The stigma attached to public perception of lung cancer in general, coupled with the relative rarity of malignant mesothelioma, makes the fight to raise awareness for malignant mesothelioma uphill all the way.
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is a national organization dedicated to raising mesothelioma awareness. ADAO is dedicated to remaining independent and unaffiliated with any outside influences including drug companies, law firms, or asbestos manufacturers. Each year, ADAO sponsors a week-long Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference with activities to provide information and inspiration for people affected by asbestos-related disease. Check the ADAO Web site for mesothelioma news, conferences, initiatives, and legislation.
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
An initiative is underway to have September 26th declared Mesothelioma Awareness Day across the country. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Washington, and Minnesota have either adopted the day or the initiative is in legislative process. Many individual cities are also participating.
Jordan Zevon, recording artist and son of legendary singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, is lending his support to a radio campaign for Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Jordan serves as the spokesperson for ADAO. You can help by asking local radio stations to play Warren Zevon’s music on September 26th followed by a 20-second announcement about malignant mesothelioma. Download the announcement. Warren Zevon died of malignant mesothelioma in September 2003. His most recognizable hits include “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Werewolves of London,” “Hasten Down the Wind,” and “Carmelita.”
Ban Asbestos
There is a broad misconception that the use of asbestos has been banned. This is not true, despite the fact that the first documented case of asbestos-related disease was recorded in 1907, and the first lawsuits concerning asbestos disease went on the books in 1929, when affected workers sued Johns Manville. Over the years, some legislation has been passed, but asbestos has never been completely banned, and asbestos fibers are still found in common household products ranging from duct tape to children’s toys. You can help by writing to your local congressmen to urge an asbestos ban, that could help prevent future sufferers of asbestos cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
The Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund holds annual events like the Dinner Dance for Mesothelioma to benefit mesothelioma research at the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, plus dozens of other diverse events that benefit general cancer research.
What You Can Do
Events like these to raise money for asbestos cancer and malignant mesothelioma research while raising awareness through publicity are common in every city. To get involved, check with local, state or national charity organizations and sign up to attend or volunteer. If you can’t find an event in your city, organize one! You can also donate to malignant mesothelioma research, write to your congressman and to local news outlets, start an email campaign, join a support group or simply share news with your friends and ask them to participate. If you or someone you know is a victim of malignant mesothelioma, spread the word. Personal stories give the disease a face, and faces are hard to ignore.
Links
Mesothelioma Awareness on Facebook
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Ban Asbestos
Sign the Tell Congress: Totally Ban Asbestos in Industrial Materials, Consumer Products and Toys petition
The Jimmy Fund
Donating to the National Cancer Research (You may specify mesothelioma research when you donate.)
