Raising awareness of mesothelioma, asbestos
6 Apr 2009 by Wendi Lewis under Events, News
The folks who run this web site were excited to take part in a special event on Saturday, April 4, to raise awareness of mesothelioma, and share information about the dangers of asbestos exposure. The event was the “Bite the Tail Off Cancer” crawfish boil, and it was sponsored by the Junior Executive Board of the American Cancer Society here in Montgomery, Ala.
The timing of this event was perfect, as it coincided with Asbestos Awareness Week, which is April 1-7. The week has been recognized nationally by U.S. Senate Resolution, and also locally by Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. Thank you, Mayor Strange, for supporting Asbestos Awareness in the Capital City! The Mayor signed a proclamation on April 1 in recognition of the special week.
At the crawfish boil event, which was held in Downtown Montgomery at Riverwalk Park, we were able to provide information about asbestos exposure and safety, as well as information about mesothelioma. I talked to two gentlemen who have been exposed to asbestos, both in their jobs. We also visited with a woman who recently lost her husband to lung cancer, as a result of smoking and also asbestos inhalation in his work.
Many people were surprised to learn that asbestos is still not completely banned in the United States. We provided a petition they can sign, which I will take to Washington, D.C., in June when I attend the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s International Mesothelioma Symposium. During that event, I will have the opportunity to meet with my Congressional delegates to lobby for an asbestos ban.
We’re adding an online petition to this site, too, which should be up in the next couple of days. I’ll let you know when it’s active, and I would love to have everyone sign!
