In This Issue
President's Message
SAVE THE DATE: Jammin' for Asbestos Awareness on September 26
ADAO's New Infographic "Asbestos: Legal and Lethal in the USA"
President Barack Obama Proclaimed April 28 Workers Memorial Day
Asbestos: The Killer of Lives and Dreams
Earth Day: History is a Great Teacher to Those Who Listen
NEW RESEARCH: "Multiple pathway asbestos exposure assessment for a Superfund community in Libby, MT"
Communication, Collaboration, and Action Thrive in Global Ban Asbestos Network
LETTER: Let Congress Know that You Want REAL Toxic Reform Legislation!
PETITION: Protect Asbestos Victims' Civil Rights
PETITION: Urging Prime Minister Tony Abbott Not to Consolidate the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council into the Department of Employment
ADAO Requests a Meeting at Yale
ADAO Remembers Mesothelioma Warrior Michael at Miracle 5K
The Devastating Consequences of Asbestos - Tony's Story
Guest Blog by Rachel Shaneyfelt: "You Find Beauty Where You are Planted"
Guest Blog by Mavis Nye: "The Saatchi Bill"
Remembering Ralph at "Mangia for Meso" on May 17
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2014 Conference Sponsors and Donors 

 

ADAO Press Releases 

 

2014 Conference Info 

  

ADAO "Share Your Story Collection" 

 

INFOGRAPHIC: "Asbestos is Legal and Lethal in the USA

 

2014 U.S. Surgeon General Asbestos Statement

 

ADAO YouTube 

  

Global Calendar 

   

  Archived eNewsletters 

 

Archived Blogs  

 

 2013 Year in Review 
President's Message  

Linda 2012

 

"Where Knowledge and Action Unite" is far more than the theme of the 2014 ADAO conference; it inspires the work we do every day. I am writing this message just after the U.S. House of Representatives re-discussed reforms to the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act for the seventh time in ten years.  Although we have had the knowledge that asbestos kills for 100 years, the American government still has not taken action to protect public health. But I don't lose hope, because every day, I see the progress ADAO has made, thanks to your donations of time, expertise and passion, and thanks to our generous sponsors as well.
  
In April, Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, Acting U.S. Surgeon General reconfirmed that "scientists have long understood that asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases when the fibers are inhaled." And President Barack Obama, in his proclamation for Workers Memorial Day, stated: "We are helping employers provide safe workplaces and holding those who risk workers' lives and health accountable. And we are empowering workers with information so they can stay safe on the job." 

 

At ADAO, we stand together where knowledge and action unite.  Be counted, take a bold stand, sign two petitions -- one for the US and one for Australia -- and send a letter to the US Congress. We are called to action in memory of Michael and the thousands of others who have been silenced. In this newsletter, we feature guest bloggers (Mavis, Rachel) and articles about the powerful events being hosted (Ralph's Family, Bob's Family) to raise not only funds, but awareness and hope for a future world free of asbestos disease.

 

Together, change is possible. Linda Social Networks  
NEW ADAO EVENT

 

Join us for a great evening of jazz, blues and rock, featuring:

  

 Jordan Zevon, The Jiggawatts, Cosmic Radio, Clever, Two Drag Club, and Lumpy Gravy

 

Tickets: $20, available after June 1st, online at onepercentproductions.com or at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). Our sincere gratitude to the Rahe Family for organizing this event in memory of Bob. All of the bands are donating their time, including our beloved Jordan Zevon, National Spokesperson for ADAO. Read More...

EDUCATION
 
Whenever I talk with someone new about asbestos, one of the first things I hear is: "I thought that problem was solved a long time ago. Isn't asbestos banned in the US?" At ADAO, we want everyone to know that   asbestos has not been banned in the US. It is only with that knowledge that we can all come together in the struggle for a world free from asbestos. At the ADAO 10th Anniversary Asbestos Awareness Conference we adopted the title "Where Knowledge and Action Unite" to highlight our goal to couple education with advocacy. 

Please help knowledge and action unite by educating yourself and sharing our full new infographic, Asbestos: Legal and Lethal in the USA. Read More...
 
"We are improving standards to protect workers from black lung and reduce their exposure to dangerous substances. We are helping employers provide safe workplaces and holding those who risk workers' lives and health accountable. And we are empowering workers with information so they can stay safe on the job."  -- from President Barack Obama's Proclamation
 
On April 28, 2014, unions and NGOs, along with the scientific and asbestos victims' communities came together for a powerful day of remembrance and awareness. The World Health Organization estimates more than 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposures. Learn more by visiting Hazards for detailed information about Workers Memorial Day activities that still can be viewed and shared. 

For me, this day is very personal. Twenty-nine years ago, my loving husband, Alan, lifted my wedding veil over my eyes and embraced me forever. Unfortunately, forever came to an end too quickly. Mesothelioma stole my best friend, and I desperately want him back. Gone forever are his smiles, his "I love yous," and the precious family time we would have had together. Memories of our love are eternally etched across my heart, but now, only the sounds of silence echo around me. Ironically, our anniversary and Workers' Memorial Day share the same day. Alan had both occupational and environmental asbestos exposure, and he paid the ultimate price for his job: his life. Read More...

When Earth Day began on April 22, 1970, Richard Nixon was our president, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel was the number one song, "Patton" won the Academy Award for Best Picture, it only cost 33 cents to mail a letter, and Woodstock had changed rock concerts forever. There is one fact that remains constant - "History is a great teacher for those who listen." 
 
During these past four decades, the Earth Day momentum has exponentially grown and technological advancements have removed many borders and boundaries from our lives. Read more...

Authors: Noonan CW, Conway K, Landguth EL, McNew T, Linker L, Pfau J, Black B, Szeinuk J, Flores R. 

 

"Libby, MT was the home to workers at a historical vermiculite mining facility and served as the processing and distribution center for this industrial product that was contaminated with amphibole asbestos. This residential community is part of a Superfund site that has been declared a public health emergency by the Environmental Protection Agency. The insidious nature of asbestos-related health effects suggests that outcomes assessment in the affected populations and associated risk assessment decisions will continue for decades." Read more...


The Global Ban Asbestos Network GBAN) was founded in 2010 by the Brazilian Association for the Asbestos-Exposed (ABREA) and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization  (ADAO) to provide a social network resource for Communication, Collaboration and Action sharing "ban asbestos" information worldwide.
 
As our reach has grown to nearly 30,000 viewers,  Fernanda Giannasi (ABREA) and I are thrilled to welcome three new members in leadership roles. Lou Williams, Australian National Director, Dr. Ken Takahashi, Asian Regional Director, and Yvonne Waterman, European Regional Director, will serve as communication coordinators for the network, bringing together 33 Members from 21 countries.  For Dr. Takahashi and Yvonne, we are acknowledging the invaluable role they already play in GBAN. Lou is new to our group, an expert in social media, asbestos organizations, and educational efforts in Australia and around the world, and also a Mesothelioma Warrior.  All three presented at the 2014 ADAO conference in April and we encourage you to watch their videos to learn more. 
Read More ...
ADVOCACY

 

Sign the Environmental Working Group petition here calling on Congress to pass TRUE TSCA reform.   

 

Since 2004, ADAO has been actively engaged in stakeholder meetings, testifying at Congressional hearings to ensure Congress passes meaningful legislation to protect the public from dangerous chemicals such as asbestos. Presently, both bills in the Senate and House would never be strong enough to ban asbestos.  The time is now to be counted and stand where knowledge and action unite. Read the latest ADAO statement opposing the "Chemicals in Commerce Act" (CICA) Revised Discussion Draft. 

ACTION: Sign the Petition and Send Your Message to Congress: Protect Asbestos Victims' Civil Rights  

 

 

 

In honor of Workers Memorial Day, the Asbestos Cancer Victims' Rights Campaign (ACVRC) would like to draw attention to a deceptive and harmful piece of legislation. The Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency (FACT) Act would make it more difficult for those hurt by asbestos companies, including the many workers who were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers on the job, to receive compensation for their pain and suffering. The law would require victims to disclose private information -- like the last four digits of their social security numbers -- to the public without placing a similar burden on the companies that hurt them, ultimately delaying, deterring and potentially preventing justice. The ACVRC is working hard to stop this bill in its tracks, but to do so, they need your help. Read More... 

ACTION: Sign the Petition
Urging Prime Minister Tony Abbott Not to Consolidate the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council into the Department of Employment
 

In Australia and around the world, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency serves as a leader in programs to eliminate asbestos-related health and safety issues in the environment and workplace. They have an essential, irreplaceable role in the international struggle for a world free from asbestos. For ADAO, in the US where we still do not have a ban, their support is invaluable. Read More ...  

ADAO continues to support the Associazione Familiari Vittime Amianto's (AFEVA) appeal to review and revoke a 1996 Yale honorary doctorate given to asbestos billionaire, Stephan Schmidheiny. AFEVA ran a full-page ad in the April 25th edition of the "Yale Daily News" calling for public support of its mission to get the Yale administration to review the award. Read More...

 

COMMUNITY
 
ADAO was truly honored to attend Michael's Miracle 5K on April 26, 2014 in Ringgold, Georgia. When Michael's mother invited Linda Reinstein to speak about asbestos awareness and prevention, we were hoping and praying that Michael would be there with us. But sadly, we gathered to honor his memory instead. As we mourn the heartbreaking loss of our dear friend Michael, we are comforted to be surrounded by so many whose lives he touched. Read More...

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. Read More...

 

ADAO Welcomes Guest Blogger Rachel Shaneyfelt

 

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is very fortunate that our community is so active and outspoken. It is our pleasure to feature blogs from some of our members. Today we feature Rachel Shaneyfelt's unedited story and beautiful photographs. She has also Shared Her Story on our website. Thank you, Rachel, for being part of our ADAO community!

 

Rachel Shaneyfelt: "My name is Rachel Shaneyfelt, I'm 46 years old and on April 1, 2014, I will have survived Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by 3 years. Pretty impressive? I tend to think so!  God has shown great mercy over my life." Read More...


ADAO Welcomes Guest Blogger Mavis Nye

 

ADAO is very fortunate that our community is so active and outspoken. It is our pleasure to feature unedited blogs from some of our members. Today we feature Mavis Nye's thoughts about the Saatchi bill.  Mavis is the 2013 recipient of ADAO's Alan Reinstein Award for her commitment to education, advocacy and support to countless patients and families around the world. She has also Shared Her Story on our website. Thank you, Mavis, for speaking out! 

 

Mavis Nye: "2014 has been a great year so far for Mesothelioma awareness. I'm so pleased to have played a role in this. I was invited to attend the introduction of the Saatchi Bill by Lord Saatchi at the House of Commons." Read More... 

 
ADAO is thrilled to share details about a community event, Mangia for Meso, which remembers Mesothelioma Warrior, Ralph.
 

The event will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 6:00 pm in Marlton, New Jersey. Family, friends, and community members will gather at Indian Springs Country Club for a fun-filled night of dinner, dancing, and fundraising. Read More...
ADAO New Website
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