|
|
|
|
|
|
 | | Sign Up Today! |
|
|
|
President's Message
As the only independent nonprofit dedicated to protecting asbestos victims' civil rights and a leader in the battle to prevent asbestos exposure and related diseases, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has a lot to share about our education, advocacy, and community efforts this month!
First, ADAO is so grateful for the many medical and occupational experts, victims, advocates, honorees, and sponsors who attended the 11th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference on April 17 - 19. Don't forget to take our survey! The combined voices of attendees from nine countries truly made this conference powerful. To drive further awareness, we also look forward to presenting at the 5th International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma on May 2, 2015.
TSCA reform is still a hot topic, and members of Congress are editing potential legislation as we speak. ADAO remains steadfast in our commitment to exclusively support legislative reform that specifically mentions asbestos and gives the EPA adequate resources to expeditiously review and ban dangerous chemicals. As such, we have banded together with the EWG Action Fund, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, and Trevor's Trek Foundation to promote the Real TSCA Reform Coalition's petition. ADAO encourages everyone to take action - sign the petition now!
This month is also very special to many of us, as International Workers Memorial Day took place on April 28. In honor of this day, ADAO was proud to support Earl Dotter's traveling photographic exhibit, "Badges: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers," which was on display on April 27 at the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). This day represents a time for remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work, and Dotter's exhibit put a powerful face to the names of those affected by asbestos.
ADAO also wants to give a shout out to the Bradley family, who are hosting their 2nd Annual Miracle 5K on May 2 in honor of late Mesothelioma Warrior, Michael Bradley. Our thoughts are with you!
My deepest gratitude, ~ Linda Reinstein, Social Networks
|
|
|
11th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference
|
|
Here are some of the 2015 11th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference highlights and related links!
|
|
ADAO's 11th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference Program is available for personal and professional reference! The 128-page program features important conference information as well as ADAO sponsors, Mesothelioma Warriors, and partner organizations. Thank you to all of the volunteers and ADAO Science Advisory Board/ Leadership who spent countless hours putting together this beautiful and educational program!
Click HERE to view the program online or contact us to order a hard copy for $25! Read more...
|
 What Did You Think? Please take a moment to tell us what you thought about this year's conference! Survey link here. We appreciate your feedback as we work to improve for the future. |
|
Guest Blog: "If you expose us, we'll expose you" by Rory O'Neill
 ADAO is pleased to include the below guest blog by Rory O'Neill, head writer and editor at Hazards Magazine, in honor of April 28's International Workers Memorial Day.
Imagine a killer that strikes more than once every minute. Most of these deaths could be stopped with minimal effort, but preventive measures are being blocked. That killer is occupational cancer and a mixture of toxic marketing and regulatory failure has already condemned another generation to an early grave.
|
|
ADAO Urges the Rotterdam Convention Delegates to List Chrysotile Asbestos on the PIC List Now
 The UN Rotterdam Convention is a critical piece of the global effort to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals, including asbestos. Join in solidarity. Be heard. Share your message of support by posting pictures, short videos, and messages to the Asbestos Free Future Facebook page here. These messages will be delivered to delegates at the convention broadcasting a "message from the world" to ban chrysotile asbestos. The ADAO message to the 2015 delegates is: "ADAO urges the Rotterdam Convention delegates to list chrysotile asbestos on the PIC List now. Everyone has the right to safe water, soil, and air free from hazardous chemicals. The life you save may be your own." Read more...
|
|
AFL-CIO Showcases Earl Dotter's Photography Exhibit, "Badges: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers," in Honor of IWMD
ADAO was honored to attend and support the very special traveling photography exhibit by Earl Dotter, "Badges: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers," at the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) on April 27. This exhibit served as a tribute to asbestos workers throughout history on the eve of International Workers Memorial Day (April 28) while also remembering the legacy of Dr. Irving J. Selikoff. Speakers and honored guests included Elizabeth Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer; Earl Dotter, featured photojournalist; Peg Seminario, AFL-CIO Safety and Health Director; Dr. Steven Markowitz, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Professor, Queens Colleage/CUNY; Linda Reinstein, ADAO President and Co-Founder; and David Michaels, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Assistant Secretary. Read more...
|
|
"Asbestos in Schools: Thirty Years Later, the Hazard is Still Widespread"
 The Asbestos Nation recently published a blog detailing the serious risk of asbestos in schools, an issue documented over 30 years ago, but that is still a serious hazard today. Asbestos in school buildings is not only a significant threat to public health, but is also a financial burden that takes resources away from education and a controversial subject between schools and the communities that they serve.
In 1980, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency started its ultimately unsuccessful 10-year effort to ban asbestos, one of its first studies declared in no uncertain terms: "The Agency has determined that exposure to asbestos in school buildings poses a significant hazard to public health." Read more...
|
|
| | Top photos courtesy of Maryam Jameel/Center for Public Integrity bottom two from Mike Dennen. |
|
 The U.S. Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works (EPW) marked up, voted on, and passed out of Committee by a 15-5 vote the completely sub-par TSCA reform originally proposed as Senators Vitter, Udall, and Inhofe's "Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act" (S. 697).
This legislation has deceived many with its "bipartisan support" label and claims to update the outdated 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), but is actually a dramatically inadequate reform proposal. ADAO does not support any TSCA reform that: - Does not mention asbestos
- Lacks expeditious review of deadly chemicals
Take action by urging your Senator NOT to support this legislation until Senator Boxer's asbestos amendment (called the Alan Reinstein Amendment) is included. Read more...
|
|
Senator Boxer Holds Press Conference to Call for Real Reform of Toxic Chemical Law - Dr. Laura Welch to Speak on Behalf of ADAO
Dr. Laura Welch spoke on behalf of ADAO in opposition to the chemical-industry aligned S.697, The Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, proposed by David Vitter (R-LA) and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), for its weak language and inability to protect American families from toxic chemicals. Read more...
|
We send our he artfelt condolences to the Harper family, who recently lost a mother, wife and dear friend - Stephanie Harper. Stephanie was a true Mesothelioma Warrior and was always eager to support ADAO with asbestos awareness. Before her passing, Stephanie shared her story with Mr. McCumber of the San Antonio Express News where it was published in December, 2014. Please click here to read "Asbestos remains legal despite fatal illnesses linked to it".
|
ADAO Mourns the Loss of Mary
|
|
ADAO FEATURED "SHARE YOUR STORY"
|
|
"Asbestos Kept My Husband from Living the Life He Deserved"
David's Story
 My husband Dave battled Mesothelioma courageously and with dignity for almost 10 years before succumbing to the disease at age 73.
We bought our retirement home shortly before he was diagnosed. We had just started our retirement, where Dave was able to spend time pursuing his passion...sailing. We were looking forward to spending time with family and traveling. Dave fell ill, and we spent a year going from doctor to doctor before getting the Mesothelioma diagnosis. Read more...
|
|
ADAO Supports Beloved Mesothelioma Warrior Michael Bradley at 2nd Annual Miracle 5K
ADAO is pleased to support the Bradley family's 2nd Annual Miracle 5K honoring the memory of their son and beloved Mesothelioma Warrior, Michael Bradley.
Mesothelioma claimed his life when he was only 29, but his work continues. Michael's mother, Sandra, has shared his story all over the world, speaking at Congressional staff briefings and, most recently, at ADAO's Conference in Washington, D.C. Read more...
|
 We are happy to share details about the community event, Mangia for Meso, a Kentucky Style Derby Fundraiser which remembers our beloved community member and Mesothelioma Warrior, Ralph, while also raising funds for asbestos awareness.
The event will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 4:30 - 8:30 pm in Treno, Westmont, New Jersey where family, friends, and community members will gather at "Bet on a Cure!" The fundraiser, complete with the Kentucky Derby theme, will include dinner, dancing, fundraising, and - of course - horse races! Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple. Read more...
|
|
Guest Blog: "The First Mesothelioma Awareness Night" by Vida Sheffield Hargrett
 Vida Sheffield Hargrett demonstrates that everyone can make a difference! Read how she stood up to mesothelioma in her own way below.
Mesothelioma made an unwelcome appearance into my family in the year of 2012. We were all oblivious to this type of cancer and uninformed of the fact that it even existed. To hear life stats, side effects, and chemotherapy options regarding a disease is heart wrenching but to hear this information about your mother is mind boggling. As an advocate for mesothelioma awareness and Florida Representative for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), I partnered with the 3x NBA champions, Miami Heat and hosted the 1st Mesothelioma Awareness Night.
Read more...
|
|
Asbestos: The Killer of Lives and Dreams - Mesothelioma Changed Our Lives Forever
 For me, International Workers Memorial Day is very personal. Thirty years ago on April 28, my loving husband, Alan, lifted my wedding veil over my eyes and embraced me forever. Unfortunately, forever came to an end too quickly.
It has been 12 years since I heard the dreaded word - me·so·the·li·o·ma - which changed our lives forever. Mesothelioma stole my best friend, and I desperately want him back. This preventable asbestos-caused cancer not only claimed Alan's life, but shattered our family.
For those of us who have lost a loved one to asbestos disease, International Workers Memorial Day is an important time of remembrance. Please honor Alan and the countless others who have lost their lives from occupational diseases and workplace accidents on this and every other day. Read more...
|
|
Global Asbestos Awareness Week: Contributors from Around the Globe Connect and Create Powerful Asbestos Awareness & Prevention Force
On behalf of everyone at the ADAO, thank you to all those who participated in Global Asbestos Awareness Week during April 1 - 7! This year we saw our largest and most powerful asbestos awareness force ever comprised of health organizations, businesses, government health agencies, Mesothelioma Warriors, and people around the world. Special thanks to the McOnie Agency! 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
|
|
|
