In This Issue

President's Message

Mesothelioma Patient, Michael Bradley, Receives 2014 ADAO Special Recognition of Valor Award

Press Release: ADAO Announces Esteemed Speakers for 2014 Conference

Honor Those You Love: 2014 Conference Family Tributes

2014 ADAO AAC: April 4th Private Family Event

2014 ADAO AAC: April 5th Keynote Address

2014 ADAO AAC: April 5th Awards and Recognition Dinner

2014 ADAO AAC: April 6th Unity and Remembrance Brunch

IARC/WHO World Cancer Report 2014

World Cancer Day: "Debunking the Myths about Asbestos"

Pakistan's First Ban Asbestos Conference

Heather's 8th Annual Lungleavin Day Celebration

Mavis and Ray Nye - Telling the BBC and Rest of the World About Mesothelioma

April 1 - 7, 2014 - Global Asbestos Awareness Week Overview

ADAO Mourns the Loss of Mesothelioma Warrior Jan

ADAO Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives

Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation Conference

February's Featured Videos

FEATURED VIDEO Lou Williams

FEATURED VIDEO Sugio Furuya

Quote of the Month

2014 Conference Info

2014 Conference Sponsors and Donors

ADAO Book: "Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives" (2013)

ADAO "Share Your Story"

ADAO YouTube

Global Calendar

Archived eNewsletters

Archived Blogs

2013 Year in Review

President's Message

Linda 2012

We are all keenly aware that asbestos is not just an American problem; it is a threat all over the world. Every day, I am reminded that we have international allies by our side who want to protect people from this carcinogen just as much as we do. Sometimes these people are many thousands of miles away, but feel much closer to us through social media. At the end of January, we were deeply saddened to lose Jan, one of our dear friends in the U.K., to mesothelioma. Her blog said what we all feel: "Don't be alone in this battle."

On January 31, we presented 29-year-old Mesothelioma Warrior Michael with the Special Recognition of Valor Award for his tireless efforts on behalf of asbestos victims everywhere. On February 1, we were thrilled to present by skype at the first Pakistan Ban Asbestos Conference, an historic event organized by Syed Haroon Ahmed and his son Mezab, and acknowledged by their country's president. Meanwhile, on that same day in cold, snowy Minnesota, Heather von St. James marked eight years since her lung was removed due to mesothelioma with a day to celebrate letting go of our fears and living life to the fullest.

Special thanks to the many ADAO volunteers, interns, 2014 Official Sponsors, and the brave mesothelioma patients and families for their continued support. As Jan said, "we are all here to help each other."

Together, change is possible.

Linda

Social Networks

Mesothelioma Patient, Michael Bradley, Receives the 2014 ADAO Special Recognition of Valor Award

Today, it was my great honor to present Michael Bradley with the 2014 Special Recognition of Valor Award, on behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). Michael will speak at ADAO's 10th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference on April 5, 2014 on the topic "Asbestos Has Changed My Life."

Michael's unrelenting bravery and courage during his mesothelioma battle is a true mark of valor. Read More...

2014 ANNUAL ADAO CONFERENCE:

APRIL 4-6 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Press Release: ADAO Announces Esteemed Speakers for 2014 Conference - to Coincide with 10th Year Anniversary

ADAO Announces Esteemed Speakers for 2014 Conference - to Coincide with 10th Year Anniversary

ADAO Welcomes More than 30 Speakers from Across the Globe; Celebrates a Decade of Asbestos Awareness Success

Los Angeles - The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which combines education, advocacy, and community to help ensure justice for asbestos victims, today announced the list of 30+ esteemed speakers scheduled to present at the upcoming 10th� Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference April 4-6 in Washington, DC. ADAO also celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, marking a decade of asbestos awareness success since the organization's inception in 2004. Read More...

Honor Those You Love: 2014 Conference Program Family Tributes

HOW TO SUPPORT ADAO AND HONOR THOSE YOU LOVE

Together, change is possible and the ADAO needs your help. This year, consider publishing a Family Tribute page in the 2014 10th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference program in honor of loved ones who have lost their lives or are currently battling asbestos disease. This program will be distributed at our conference and available on www.adao.us throughout the year. The ADAO conference program is another great way for families across the globe to unite and raise asbestos awareness. Even if you are unable to attend the conference in person, your family's tribute page will serve to honor your loved one and support ADAO's continued efforts to eliminate asbestos-caused disease.

There are 5 tribute donation levels allowing your loved one to be featured in a beautiful full-page, 1/2 page, or 1/4 page tribute in the 2014 conference program. To view samples or for inspiration in designing your own Family Tribute Program page reference our 2013 Conference Program (starting on page 47 with Steve McQueen by clicking here.) Read More...

2014 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference

Fri, April 4th Event: Private Family Washington, D.C. Tour

ADAO is delighted to announce an exciting pre-conference event for

patients and families, and

international speakers

who are attending the 10th Annual International Asbestos Awareness conference, "Where Knowledge and Action Unite."

On Friday, April 4, 2014, we will enjoy a box lunch together while touring the top Washington, D.C. monuments! There is no charge, but you must be registered for the conference to be eligible to attend. To Register for the Tour, complete your conference registration and then fill out the Google form to RSVP for the tour. Read More...

2014 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference: April 4 - 6, 2014

Sat, April 5th: Keynote Address and Conference

The April 5th conference, which will bring together more than 30 renowned experts and asbestos victims from ten countries, includes four powerful, cutting-edge sessions:

Medical Advancements: Diagnosing and Treating Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Diseases
Patients & Caregivers: Navigating the Meidcal Maze
Prevention: What Is It? Where Is It? What Do I Do?
Advocacy: Global Ban Asbestos Action

To register, click here. Read More...

2014 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference: April 4 - 6, 2014

Sat, April 5th: Awards and Recognition Dinner

ADAO is thrilled to announce a new event at this year's conference: an Awards and Recognition Dinner! All are invited to a wonderful dinner on April 5th, 2014 from 6:30 - 9:00pm to celebrate our conference, enjoy a performance by Jordan Zevon, honor tireless advocates for asbestos victims, and thank our generous conference sponsors. We look forward to an exciting evening with you! Click here for registration details. Read More...

2014 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference: April 4 - 6, 2014Sun, April 6th: Unity and Remembrance Brunch

Unity and Remembrance Brunch

April 6, 2014 9:30 - 11:30 AM

Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202

Brunch: $50 for those who are have not registered for the conference. Register here.

EDUCATION

The IARC/WHO Issues World Cancer Report 2014 Highlighting Cancer Prevention

ADAO congratulates the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency operating under the World Health Organization, on their recent launch of the World Cancer Report 2014. On February 3rd 2014 they released this report featuring critically important information on cancer research and control - primarily focused on prevention. The report is the accumulation of knowledge on the most pertinent cancer statistics and trends on incidence and mortality across the globe, expertly complied by over 250 leading scientists from all over the world. Read More...

World Cancer Day: "Debunking the Myths about Asbestos"

World Cancer Day was a great day for "Debunking the Myths about Asbestos."

FACT: Asbestos is legal and lethal in the USA.

FACT: Asbestos kills 30 Americans every day and imports continue.

FACT: Prevention remains the only cure.

FACT: There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

FACT: All six types of asbestos are carcinogenic.

FACT: Asbestos causes mesothelioma and lung, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers, as well as non-malignant lung and respiratory diseases.

"It is unfortunate that we still need a World Cancer Day, said Arthur Frank, MD, PhD. We must recognize that the best method of dealing with this worldwide scourge is to practice more prevention in the form of reducing smoking, totally eliminating asbestos, improving diets, and taking other steps to stop this serious problem."

"The best message I can give on World Cancer Day is that if we stop a man's exposure to a carcinogen, we stop the cancer, said Richard A. Lemen, Former Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS, That's something society can do."Read More...

ADVOCACY

Pakistan's First Ban Asbestos Conference Held on February 1

Sugio Furuya, Syed Fareed Ahmed, His Highness Barrister Samin Khan Lord of Sherpur, and Syed Mezab Ahmed

On February 1, 2014 the first Pakistani Ban Asbestos Conference was held in the city of Karachi.

Our enthusiasm for this historic event was shared by the President of Pakistan! "I ... wish to congratulate Syed Haroon Ahmed, Syed Mezab Ahmed and the organizers of this conference for their efforts to raise greater awareness about asbestos and various health issues involved with its use," commented Mr. Mamnoon Hussain. "Scientific research has proved that asbestos is a human carcinogen and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure," he continued.

Syed Mezab Ahmed shared this photo of his father, Syed Haroon Ahmed with Dr. Farooq Sattar, a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, and Sugio Furuya, coordinator of the Asian Ban Asbestos Network. Read More...

Reinstein: "Asbestos: Exposing the Truth" Karachi, Pakistan 2014

Heather's 8th Annual Lungleavin Day Celebration!

On February 1, 2014, I had my airline ticket for Minnesota in hand, ready to represent ADAO at Heather von St. James' 8th Annual Lung Leavin' Day. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate, but that didn't spoil Heather's day at all. At our 2014 Asbestos Awareness Conference, she will be one of three mesothelioma warriors to receive the Alan Reinstein Award in honor of her commitment to asbestos education, advocacy and support to countless patients and families around the world. Read More...

Mavis and Ray Nye - Telling the BBC and Rest of the World about Mesothelioma

Congratulations and thank you to Mavis and Ray Nye for courageously speaking up and out about asbestos and the United Kingdom mesothelioma bill during the BBC 1 Sunday Politics program. During the BBC 1 Sunday Politics interview, Ray shared his feelings of guilt about Mavis's suffering from mesothelioma as a result of her washing Ray's asbestos-contaminated clothing after working in the shipyard. Read More...

April 1 - 7, 2014 - Global Asbestos Awareness Week Overview

Asbestos: One Word. One World. One Week.

Thanks to the U.S. Senate, ADAO now has Senate Resolution 336 designating April 1 -7, 2014 as "Asbestos Awareness Week." We are proud to have reached the milestone of our tenth year coordinating this event with our collaborators around the world. Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) begins on Monday with ADAO's exclusive online candlelight vigil to honor for those fighting preventable asbestos-caused diseases and remember those we have lost. Our GAAW campaign will include "7 Facts for 7 Days" featuring a different asbestos subject each day. Read More...

COMMUNITY

ADAO Mourns the Loss of Mesothelioma Warrior Jan

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) deeply mourns the loss of our beloved United Kingdom Mesothelioma Warrior, Jan, who passed away on January 23, 2014 after a nearly ten-year courageous battle with mesothelioma. Despite her illness, Jan was determined to "carry on enjoying my life with my husband and dogs" and was "on a mission to live as long as possible" to have more time with them. Read More...

ADAO Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives

We have all been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a firm community bond. As a testament to the strength of our global family, ADAO is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the "Share Your Story" feature on our website.

This week, we would like to honor the stories of countless ADAO community members in our Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives book.