In This Issue

President's Message

ADAO Announces Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, Acting U.S. Surgeon General, as 2014 Keynote Speaker

Private Family Washington, D.C. Tour

Asbestos Awareness Conference

Awards and Recognition Dinner

Unity and Remembrance Brunch

Share Your 10th Anniversary Message with ADAO

ADAO Announces 2014 Leadership Sponsors and Donors

ADAO to Create Video from 10th Annual Conference Participants

Dr. Richard Lemen Presents in Berlin

ADAO Joined FIOH Helsinki Asbestos Conference

IARC/WHO World Cancer Report 2014

ADAO Delivered Keynote Address at Occupational Lung Cancer Symposium

Hear ADAO's Interview on New York Radio Show "Green Divas"

PRESS RELEASE: ADAO Voices Grave Concerns about the "Chemicals in Commerce Act" Discussion Draft

Asbestos: One Word. One World. One Week.

ADAO Joins Millions around the World to Observe Rare Disease Day

"Finding Hope with Mesothelioma" - David's Story

Interview with John Maggs - Health and Safety Coordination for Avon Fire and Rescue

MARF's 2014 Malignant Mesothelioma Symposium

FEATURED VIDEO "Brazil: From the Mines to the Courtroom" Video Presentation by Fernanda Giannasi

FEATURED VIDEO Mavis Nye, Speaks Up and Out in the House of Lords

ADAO Press Releases

2014 Conference Info

2014 Conference Sponsors and Donors

ADAO "Share Your Story"

ADAO YouTube

Global Calendar

Archived eNewsletters

Archived Blogs

2013 Year in Review

President's Message

Linda 2012

Already, ADAO is looking forward to the 2014 Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) on April 1 - 7! The week will raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure in order to better protect families throughout the nation. As a mesothelioma widow, I am shocked that most Americans are still unaware that asbestos has not been banned and exposure continues at home, work, and in our children's schools.

We hope that you not only consider supporting us during GAAW, but also join us at our upcoming 10th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference, Where Knowledge and Action Unite!. The conference, which takes place April 4 - 6 in Washington, D.C., is shaping up to be one of our most exciting and powerful events. Reserve your Marriott rooms no later than March 5th to lock in the low ADAO discounted rate. Spaces are limited! Would you like to be featured in our conference program? Send us a message!

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it is because of you, your generous donations of time and dollars, and your continued support that ADAO has grown to be much more than an organization focused solely on banning asbestos. ADAO would like to sincerely thank our event hosts, Motley Rice LLC, Simmons Law Firm and Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, P.C. The community action has never been stronger and we have seen how "Together, change is possible" work in real-time.

In unity, Linda Social Networks

2014 ANNUAL ADAO CONFERENCE:

APRIL 4-6 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

ADAO Announces Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, Acting U.S. Surgeon General, as 2014 Keynote Speaker

ADAO is honored to have Rear Admiral (RADM) Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., M.P.H., Acting United States Surgeon General, deliver the keynote address at the 10th Annual ADAO International Asbestos Awareness Conference, "Where Knowledge and Action Unite" on April 5th in Washington, DC. As the Acting U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Lushniak articulates the best available scientific information to the public regarding ways to improve personal health and the health of the Nation.

Help Us Celebrate ADAO's 10th Anniversary with Your Message that will be Included in Our Conference Program

2014 is ADAO's Tenth Anniversary Year! Since 2004, thanks to you, ADAO has exponentially grown and we have exceeded our educational, advocacy, and community support goals. When the Larkin and Reinstein families heard the word mesothelioma - we had nowhere to turn - and needed to turn our anger into action.

We are collecting anniversary messages of 120 characters or less to be shared in our Conference program. Read More...

ADAO is Pleased to Announce 2014 Sponsor and Donors

Our heartfelt thanks to Motley Rice LLC, Simmons Law Firm and Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, P.C. as our official 2014 Platinum Sponsors, Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney and Meisenkothen as our official 2014 Silver Sponsor, as well as the many Diamond Level individual donors who have contributed to ADAO this year. Your support enables ADAO to advance education, advocacy, and community, and, ultimately, make change possible.

Platinum Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Early, Lacarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen

Individual Diamond Level Donors

The Rahe Family

Tom O'Neil Memorial Donations from Family and Friends

The Trafton and Maude Crandall Foundation

The Von St. James Family

ADAO to Create Video from 10th Annual Conference Participants

At our 10th Anniversary Conference: "

Where Knowledge and Action Unite," the ADAO will be building on our tradition of videotaping all conference presentations, events, and exclusive interviews, we will be videotaping throughout the weekend creating a documentary of the experience - The ADAO 10th Anniversary Story. For conference attendees this is a great opportunity to share your own story, experience, and/or thoughts on the ADAO and the global movement to ban asbestos. We encourage all conference attendees to stand up and make your voice heard by participating in this film. Read more...

EDUCATION

Dr. Richard Lemen Presents in Berlin: "Pandemic Dimensions of Asbestos Induced Cancer"

"As Co-Chair of Science Advisory Board of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, I am pleased to share news from the recent German Cancer Congress I attended which was held 19-22 February in Berlin, Germany after attending and participating with Linda in the International Conference on Monitoring and Surveillance of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Helsinki, Finland the previous week Read More...

ADAO Joined FIOH Helsinki Asbestos Conference Attendees in a Vote to Adopt the "The Helsinki Declaration on Management and Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases"

Dr. Kazutaka Kogi, Linda Reinstein, Dr. Laura Welch, Dr. Julietta Rodriguez-Guzman, Dr. Aubrey Miller, Dr. David Weissman. Back row: Dr. Robert Smith, Dr. Richard Lemen and Dr. Harri Vainio. (Left to right)

ADAO was pleased to attend the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) International Helsinki Conference on Monitoring and Surveillance of Asbestos-Related Diseases. The conference brought together nearly 150 occupational health and safety experts and scientists, occupational hygienists, public health managers, decision-makers, and insurance experts for the three-day conference. ADAO was honored sign the Helsinki Declaration. Read More...

IARC/WHO Issues World Cancer Report 2014 Highlighting Cancer Prevention

The 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 3, 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...

ADAO Delivered Keynote Address at Occupational Lung Cancer Symposium

Linda Reinstein, Dr. Paul Demers, and Dr. Desre Kramer (left to right)

ADAO was thrilled to deliver

"Lung Cancer Research: Beyond the Bench in the 21st Century" keynote address at OCRC Occupational Lung Cancer Symposium in Toronto. Points discussed were:

Turning Anger into Action
Historical Asbestos Toxic Trade Overview
Beyond the Bench, Obstacles and Opportunities: Studies, Reports, and New Trends
Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Clinical Trial Survey
Harnessing the Digital Revolution

ADVOCACY

Hear ADAO's Interview on New York Radio Show "Green Divas"

I was delighted to be interviewed by the terrific New York-based Green Divas Radio Show to discuss the threat of asbestos, prevention, legislation, and more! You can tune into the segment by starting at 37:03 on the audio bar. Read More...

ADAO PRESS RELEASE: February 28, 2014

ADAO Voices Grave Concerns about the "Chemicals in Commerce Act" Discussion Draft

Asbestos Victims Demand Meaningful Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform

While ADAO is encouraged by efforts to overhaul the outdated and ineffective Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) from 1976, neither the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1009) nor "Chemicals in Commerce Act" Discussion Draft represents progress in chemical risk management and prohibition. 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...

ADAO Joins Millions around the World to Observe Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2014

On February 28, ADAO joined the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and others around the world in observing Rare Disease Day where thousands of patients and their families will share their stories and focus a spotlight on rare diseases as an important global public health concern. Since 2005, ADAO has been listed as a mesothelioma resource on the NORD website. A 'rare disease' is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. Tragically, mesothelioma, a cancer caused from asbestos, claims the lives of more than 3,000 Americans every year. Read More...

COMMUNITY

"Finding Hope with Mesothelioma" - David's Story

David, AKA SuperDad, and his family.

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 story of David, as shared by his family Eileen Dioguardi, Eileen Murray, Marge McNally, Elly Dioguardi Rochowicz, Maureen Moriarty Dioguardi, and Sara Aguilar. Read More

ADAO Exclusive Interview with John Maggs, Health and Safety Coordinator for the Avon Fire and Rescue Service

ADAO reported in October 2013 the findings from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study of firefighters that showed a rate of mesothelioma two times higher than that of the general population. The NIOSH study was published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine studied cancer incidence among nearly 30,000 firefighters in Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia who were employed between 1950 and 2009.

"For a long time, I was concerned about firefighters' exposure to toxins," explained John Maggs, Health and Safety Coordinator for the Avon Fire and Rescue Service in the UK, "initially through not wearing a breathing apparatus at vehicle fires, when smoke could easily be inhaled. It seemed to be accepted practice." Maggs designed and delivered an educational presentation for firefighters and drafted proposals to change operational procedures. As a result, the rate of firefighters wearing a breathing apparatus has risen from less than 10% to about 90%. "A great success," he added. Read More

Excitedly Attending MARF's 2014 Malignant Mesothelioma Symposium in Washington, D.C.

It feels like yesterday when I attended my first Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma in 2004, as I was seeking medical information for my husband, Alan. Alone, isolated and in pain, I joined others with similar tragic experiences. There was an unspoken language between us and immeasurable compassion. I returned home with more than a binder of information; I left with a new family of friends. Community for both the patient and family is essential - not only to enrich our quality of life, but to develop and improve treatment. Read More...

MARCH'S FEATURED VIDEOS

"Brazil: From the Mines to the Courtroom" Video Presentation by Fernanda Giannasi

Fernanda Giannasi is a Civil and Safety and Heath Engineer and has been a symbol of the struggle to ban asbestos in Brazil. As Labour Inspector for the Ministry of Labor in S�o Paulo state since 1983, Giannasi defends the public interest in regards to worker safety and health. Having been exiled to Osasco city in 1995, Giannasi became aware of a number of cases of asbestos disease amongst the local population. Read More...

Mesothelioma Warrior, Mavis Nye, Speaks Up and Out in the House of Lords

Mavis Nye, joined Lord Saatchi and a panel of experts at the House of Lords on February 24th for the launch of a public consultation into his medical innovation bill. As reported in The Telegraph, Lord Saatchi's bill "would empower patients and doctors to try out new innovative treatments where standard procedures are failing which has the potential to speed up medical advances." Read More...

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and community. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org