Posted in September 12, 2013 

We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (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 Blayne, as shared by his widow Sandra, who is a part of our ADAO family.

We encourage you to submit your personal stories by clicking here and following the simple instructions on the page. In sharing, comes healing. Remember, you are not alone.

“A Family Devastated by Asbestos Exposure” – Blayne’s Story

Name: Blayne

Location: Canada

Date of Diagnosis: 17-SEP-2002

Diagnosis: Mesothelioma

Treatment: Quality of Life

1946 – 2004

How has asbestos changed your life?

Asbestos has changed my life by robbing me of my future with my husband.  Since my husband’s diagnosis and eventual death, my life has changed forever.

On May 24, 2002, Blayne came home from work saying he had difficulty breathing. He had never been sick a day in his life before.  After his admission to the hospital, he was told he had a very rare form of lung cancer, Mesothelioma.  We were told to go home and get our affairs in order, that he only had 4 months to live.

The day Blayne died I lost the love of my life.  Blayne was a strong advocate of health and safety, how ironic that he should succumb to this horrible disease.  He fought for those who could not and he fought until the end.  By making his story a public one he helped to shed a light on this disease and the shameful exportation and practice and the use of asbestos; by exposing the dirty secret of asbestos and occupational disease in our community.

Since then I have been keeping his memory alive by helping to tear down the walls to stop the export and use of this product.  Even through this devastating disease he has taught me many things.  He showed me how strong a woman and advocate I could be not only for him but to help others around me, in the same situation.  I will continue to honor his memory by continuing to advocate against this product and I have hope for the future.  A future without asbestos and occupational related diseases.

Since the loss of my husband, my family has lost 4 other members to Mesothelioma and 3 others to Occupational Related diseases. My family has been devastated by exposure.

“I didn’t go to work to die.”

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