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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
June eNewsletter |
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President's Message
On behalf of ADAO, I want to give a special thanks to all of our volunteers and supporters for their hard work and solidarity not only for the last six-months, but for the last eight years! 2011, and the month of June especially, have seen tremendous events that expanded efforts of our ADAO mission focused on education, advocacy, and community.
ADAO and I were so honored to be a part of the Mesothelioma's Applied Research Foundation's International Symposium in Washington D.C. on June 25th. Please read on for details and pictures from the fantastic evening where many Facebook friends finally had the chance to meet in person and share our experiences.
June has been a month of change and unity, and ADAO looks forward to the next six months as we all renew our efforts to strengthen our community, and further raise awareness about the threat of asbestos domestically and abroad. Together, change is possible. Linda Reinstein |
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Collaboration. Community. Cure.
What an amazing event! MARF's 2011 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma was a fantastic event for patients and families around the world. It was an honor to receive the Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award. I would like to sincerely thank MARF for this prestigious honor and to our loyal and dedicated ADAO volunteers.
Click here for photos and speech.
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Remembering June Breit
"Its June" by Herman Hamilton
Don't ask me why since there are no milestones this month but my mind has been eearily drawn to thoughts of a dear old deceased friend, June Breit. This happens from time to time and I cherish them when they happen.
A lot has happened since June's passing and I can't help but wonder, what June would think about many things. There was an event this month, the MARF Symposium which June never missed. This year, our Co-Founder Linda Reinstein was honored with the Bruce Vento Hope Builder award. I think June would be happy to see the further unification between our two groups. If it's one thing she was about, it was unity.
Our use of social media has exploded since June's passing and I wonder what she would think of that? We are now reaching tens of thousands of people that just a year or two ago was virtually impossible. We have taken this large universe and shrunk it so to speak and have never spread the word nor had the word spread in a more powerful numeric way.
In the end I guess, I have to hope that she's looking down with that great big beautiful smile that she had and is thinking, "Well done" and "Keep up the great work."
June Breit's Last Message Video |
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Mark Your Calendars!
March 30 - April 1, 2012 for the ADAO 8th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference
April 1 - 7, 2012 for Global Asbestos Awareness Week
Details Coming Soon!
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A Walk to Remember the Victims of Asbestos
October 1st, Sarnia, Canada
March 7th, 2008--a day that changed our lives forever as we learned a new word: mesothelioma.
We are Leah Nielsen and Stacy Cattran, sisters raised in rural Ontario, Canada, where our dad, Bill, worked as an electrician building a power plant. At age 63, he and our mom moved back to their hometown of Sarnia, Canada. Little did we know, inside Dad's lungs a ticking time bomb was waiting to go off-one that would explode nine years later, ending his life after a two month battle.
To remember our dad, and the many victims of asbestos, and as a result of the continuing stance of the Canadian government to support the asbestos industry we are organizing a commemorative walk and rally on October 1st in Sarnia.
We met Linda and ADAO a few years ago on Facebook and have been working to raise awareness about asbestos anyway we can: signing numerous petitions, writing letters, and posting comments on Facebook. ADAO has provided so much information over the years and will continue to enlighten others about this deadly fiber. We are excited to have ADAO join us for our Walk to Remember the Victims of Asbestos and work to end the Canada's asbestos mining and exportation.
The walk will be held in Sarnia, Ontario, home to much asbestos disease. Join us and the ADAO in telling the world that asbestos production MUST end. For information and to register, please go to http://asbestos.cattran.ca/asbestos. |
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"Robbed of Many More Years" - William's Story 
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a common bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, ADAO is highlighting the courageous stories of our members through our "Share Your Story".
We are currently sharing the courageous story of William as share by his daughters, Leah and Stacy.
Read William's story and previous "Share Your Stories. |
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Canada Refused to Allow Asbestos to be Put on United Nations List of Hazardous Substances by Kathleen Ruff
 At the UN Conference in Geneva June 20 to 24, the more than a hundred countries present were on the point of achieving consensus to add chrysotile asbestos to the Rotterdam Convention's list of hazardous substances. Countries can still export substances on the list, but they must first obtain Prior Informed Consent. This enables countries in the developing world, who are being targeted by hazardous industries, to make informed decisions so that they can better protect the health of their people. They also have the right to refuse shipment into their country of a hazardous substance if they believe they do not have the means to handle it safely. The Convention is thus an important, practical tool to protect people in the developing world from being harmed by asbestos.
The asbestos lobby has used its political power over the past several years to prevent chrysotile asbestos from being put on the list of hazardous substances, as they deny that chrysotile asbestos is hazardous. So when at the meeting in Geneva, both India and the Ukraine withdrew their opposition and said they would support the listing of chrysotile asbestos, it seemed that the battle had been won. Tragically, this was not the case. After staying silent on the issue for the previous days, Canada suddenly intervened and said it would not agree to letting chrysotile asbestos be put on the Convention's list of hazardous substances. Since there has to be consensus in order for a substance to be put on the list, this meant that Canada, single-handedly, destroyed consensus and prevented action. Canada refused to give any reason for its immoral and destructive conduct in sabotaging the Convention. As a consequence, the asbestos industry can continue selling asbestos to developing countries, without giving any information of its hazards. |
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No Boundaries - No Borders
UK: Action Mesothelioma Day
On July 1st the British Lung Foundation will be hosting the second annual Action Mesothelioma Day. The event continues to raise awareness about asbestos dangers and mesothelioma to prevent asbestos related cancers. |
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