Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, has officially opened one of the largest research centers in the world dedicated exclusively to research on diseases related to asbestos. The center is located at Concord Hospital in Sydney and was named after Bernie Banton, mesothelioma victim and a passionate campaigner for victims of asbestos disease in Australia.
The Rudd government will contribute $ 5 million to the new center, which was a collaborative development effort between the government and the NSW ANZAC Research Institute in Concord Hospital. Work at the center will be completed by the culmination of 11 research facilities in Australia and 2010, the program hopes to expand with the addition of Excellence Research Centre on asbestos-related disease which is scheduled for development using $ 2.5 million in federal funds to support world-class research.
in the year 2020, an estimated 13,000 Australians will suffer from malignant mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos in the air. In addition, 40,000 cases are estimated for Australians suffering from other diseases related to asbestos. The planned figures are growing every year, and it is important that the Rudd government has recognized and realized the needs and pain of those who suffer from diseases related to asbestos.
Bernie Banton died of mesothelioma, but not after fighting long and hard, even in its darkest days, to the rights of thousands suffering from diseases related to asbestos. In addition the center is dedicated to the Australian of the Year 07, Bernie Banton Asbestos Research Fellowship was established under the National Health Center Program and medical research grants to researchers. In addition, the new center is focused on promoting the prevention and education of Australians, Asians and probably in the world of diseases related to asbestos.
