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Mesothelioma Awareness

For the past several years, non-profit organizations around the country have been hard at work spreading the word to the public about the dangers of asbestos and the fight for a cure to pleural mesothelioma. The main group that heads up this effort is the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). The following events and programs have been established to increase pleural mesothelioma awareness about cancer and the search for a cure.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day

A primary objective of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) is to turn September 26th into an annually recognized event known as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. In order to accomplish this, Congress will need to pass a resolution that would designate this day as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Legislation is already underway to accomplish this goal. A bill (H. Res. 771), which was passed on November 29, 2010, is the counterpart of the Senate resolution (S. Res. 288) that was introduced by Senator Patty Murray of Washington and passed in 2009. Senator Murray and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (Minn.) have introduced such resolutions to make Mesothelioma Awareness Day a national event.

The annual event intends to include a massive radio campaign called “Let’s Rock” featuring the music of Warren Zevon, a legendary singer/songwriter who died of malignant mesothelioma in September 2003. Nationwide, radio stations are asked to play his music and include a 20-second public service announcement about mesothelioma in an effort to raise cancer awareness.

MARF has been hard at work with cities and states around the country to turn this dream into a reality. Some states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Illinois and Kentucky, have made the day official and several others are awaiting legislative action to approve recognition of the day.

International Mesothelioma Program

The International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) was created by Dr. David Sugarbaker in order to combat the accelerated pace of mesothelioma cases reported worldwide by discovering new therapies and improving on existing ones. Located at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, its goals include creating therapies that can improve the life expectancy of pleural mesothelioma patients and their quality of life.

International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma

Sponsored by MARF, the International Symposium brings together the brightest minds every year to provide information and support for patients, their families, caregivers and advocates. Industry experts who attend the event are there to answer questions on any new developing treatments or therapies and to provide details on current clinical trials. The event also seeks to honor those living with the cancer and those who have passed away from its deadly effects.

Sources

1. http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.kkLUJ7MPKtH/b.3081255/k.797C/Mesothelioma_Awareness_Day.htm
2. http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/surgery/services/thoracicsurgery/services/mesothelioma/AboutIMP.aspx?sub=0
3. http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.kkLUJ7MPKtH/b.3117569/k.F1A3/International_Symposium_on_Malignant_Mesothelioma.htm