There has been a long time in the making, but the mesothelioma community finally achieved a monumental goal with the recent adoption of H. Res. 771. The resolution officially September 26 National Day mesothelioma awareness.
This victory proves that when the mesothelioma community acts in tandem, we have the power to make a difference. As said Mike Angelides in the official statement from the company, the proclamation "creates a powerful tool that will allow us to continue raising awareness about mesothelioma and the fight to find a cure."
I could not agree more, and I would add that in the past year, the mesothelioma community has united to form links stronger than ever. Let's use this win to keep mesothelioma honor and continue to promote awareness of the dangers of asbestos.
In the past year alone, the public has become more aware of asbestos. Yesterday, Andrew Schneider, the journalist who raised the alarm about Libby, Mont., Has published a detailed investigation report on AOL News. It is called "Killer in the Attic" and gives a revealing look at the danger of asbestos in older homes.
Then there was also the fear of asbestos at Madison Square Garden. While the dust was not asbestos, it drew national media attention that broadcasters have realized that even the slightest
risk of exposure to asbestos is dangerous enough to cancel a game of basketball professional.
The advocacy work on mesothelioma awareness of name has also continued to grow as volunteers in applied Mesothelioma Research Foundation received airtime
on the Weekend Today Show studio in New York on the occasion of the mesothelioma awareness Day.
Equally impressive, the number of Miles for Meso 5K races held throughout the country has almost doubled this year with races taking place in Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and Florida and cumulatively gift more than $ 100,000 for research into mesothelioma.
Medically, progress and discoveries being made around the world are encouraging. Last fall, I attended the International Conference Interest Group mesothelioma (IMIG) in Japan. I learned that if a mesothelioma cure is still nowhere to be found, new discoveries are made at the cellular level that we hope to continue expanding the quality of life of victims and possibly cure mesothelioma.
As you look back over the year, it is easy to see the mesothelioma community makes a difference. Continue to build on this success as we enter 2011.
