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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
October eNewsletter |
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 President's Message
October has been a month of tremendous united action and meaningful outcomes - all a testament to the power we have when we join forces together. The XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Turkey was an incredible experience for ADAO. As a result of the World Congress, the Istanbul Declaration was signed by 33 Ministers of Labour.
Leveraging technology, ADAO screened Kathleen Mullen's Breathtaking documentary, where more than 200 people tuned in for the live online discussion! We were honored to have the opportunity to join asbestos victims in Sarnia, Canada for a Candelight Vigil for Victims of Asbestos and Walk to Remember Victims of Asbestos. Our united voices are being heard by the media and lawmakers.
Looking ahead, we are presenting at the APHA's 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition October 29 - November 2 in Washington, DC and launching our 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference March 30 -April 1 in Los Angeles, CA.
As November approaches, we pledge to continue to join forces in our efforts to prevent asbestos-related disease. You, too, can make a difference by Sharing Your Story.
Together, change is possible.
Linda Reinstein |
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 XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work by Dr. Ken Takahashi
Unfortunately I could not attend the XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Istanbul. Symposium 30, "Perspectives for the Elimination of Asbestos Related Diseases (ARDs)," was planned earlier by Dr. Seong-Kyu Kang of OSHRI, Korea, Dr. Igor Fedotov of ILO, Geneva, and myself. As I have been informed that both the Congress (5,400 participants from more than 140 countries) as well as the symposium were very successful, I take the liberty to relay to you some information I have acquired.
Symposium 30 featured speakers from various organizations dedicated to the eradication of asbestos-related diseases and education of how to prevent these diseases by working with labor ministers and workers alike. Speaking in Symposium 30 were Ivan Ivanov, WHO, Dr. Jorge Morales, Medical Director of Proctor & Gamble, Linda Reinstein, President/Co-Founder ADAO, with Dr. Kang and Dr. Fedotov as co-chairs. So the mission to push strategies for education about ARDs was well accomplished. Moreover, a representative from a Trade Union in Quebec declared they would join the campaign for a ban on asbestos even though the Quebec government continues to stand still on the sample policy and, as was highlighted in presentations given, Canada is a major exporter of asbestos around the world.
Well done and many thanks to all!
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 "It's All Good Now:"
Honoring Loved Ones and Sharing Our Stories
Our international community recently lost two of its bravest warriors, Robbie Cagle and Julie Bastian. Despite our grief at such tragic losses, there is hope in our willingness to share our stories. Through ADAO's Share Your Story forum, you can honor those lost to asbestos-related diseases while raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Join our international community by sharing, finding comfort, and making a difference. Read more. |
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 Breathtaking Screening and Discussion Unites Asbestos Victims Around the World
More than 200 people from 14 countries joined in for the Breathtaking screening and discussion with Kathleen Mullen. Read more.
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 ADAO is That Clarion Voice of Awareness by Dr. Richard A. Lemen
Over 40 years ago I began my study of asbestos with the United States Public Health Service. It didn't take long to learn that all asbestos-related diseases were preventable and that this had been known for at least the previous 40 years. Thus every asbestos-related death since then had been an act of conscious neglect. Victims and their families had gone unheard while those promoting asbestos usage hid the truth for all those years.
Today asbestos victims and their families have a united voice to tell the world that any perceived benefits of asbestos are overwhelmed by the pain, suffering, and economic impact the world continues to endure.
Asbestos, this natural mineral, lay dormant for eons in the earth until man exploited it for economic gain and hid its deadly effects. It is now time to put this falsehood asunder with truth and education. ADAO is that clarion voice of awareness.
Support ADAO and join me in Los Angles this spring for our 8th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference where our work continues March 30 - April 1, 2012.
Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D., MSPH, Co-Science Advisor (ADAO) and Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General |
"A Walk to Remember Victims of Asbestos" by Leah Nielsen and Stacy Cattran
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Leah, Linda, and Stacy |
Despite the unseasonably cold temperatures, chilly wind, and spotty rain, 400+ people gathered with us in the city of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada for "A Walk to Remember Victims of Asbestos." We (sisters, Leah and Stacy) lost our dad to mesothelioma three and a half years ago, and fed up with the ongoing Canadian government support of the asbestos industry, knew it was time to stand up and be heard. Linda Reinstein of ADAO graciously partnered with us, joining in the candlelight vigil on Friday evening and acting as our keynote speaker at the Walk. A high point of the Walk was hearing the touching words of Bruce Bradshaw, oxygen tank in tow, speak about having mesothelioma and what he would like to say "eye to eye and toe to toe" to Prime Minister Harper. It was an amazing day to connect with other victims' families and make our voices be heard.
Event photos | Event videos | Speeches | Past blogs | Archived publicity |
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Pledge for Hours of Free Asbestos Awareness Training
by Christine Winter
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in partnership with the Training Industry, is setting the bold target to donate 4,000 hours of free asbestos awareness training as part of a new initiative to help tradesmen across Britain protect themselves from the deadly asbestos dust. The 4,000 hour target was set in honor of the approximate number of deaths each year in the UK from asbestos-related diseases.
This new initiative, a continuation of the Hidden Killer campaign, will offer free training throughout October-November to tradesmen such as joiners, electricians, and plumbers - those most likely to disturb the fibres as they go about their work. The hope is to prevent exposure of the next generation from this hidden asbestos killer, which now causes approximately 20 people a week to lose their lives, by educating tradesmen about how to protect themselves.
In order to reach this target and help prevent the thousands of deaths each year from asbestos-related diseases, we are calling for all those running training courses to pledge free hours during September.
"Asbestos destroys individuals, families and communities" |
 APHA's 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition ∙ October 29 - November 2 ∙ Washington, DC
ADAO is delighted to present at the American Public Health Association (APHA)'s 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition October 29 - November 2, 2011 in Washington, DC. Read more. |
 ABEVA Asbestos Conference - October 23 in Brussels, Belguim
Email your asbestos victims' photos by October 22, 2011 in order to have them placed on the wall of the Palais of Justice in Belguim. Conference details are online at the Global Asbestos Awareness Network (GBAN) www.gban.net
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