Posted on June 19

On Tuesday, June 18, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) traveled to Rushville, Indiana to present “Wonder Woman” Janelle, a Mesothelioma warrior, with the 2014 Alan Reinstein Award. This award, named after my late husband and the first ADAO President, recognizes Janelle’s commitment to education, advocacy and support to patients and families around the world.

While in Rushville, I was honored to also have had the opportunity to spend time with the community members who relentlessly work to share Janelle’s story and raise mesothelioma and asbestos awareness. Rushville, I applaud you for bringing national and global attention to banning this deadly material.

My trip to Rushville was brief, but extremely meaningful and one that I will never forget. In less than 30 hours, I had the privilege of:

  • Presenting the 2014 Alan Reinstein Award to Janelle and her family.

Delivering the Alan Reinstein Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Delivering a letter from U.S. Senator Donnelly (IN) to Janelle.

Letter to Janelle from Joe Donnelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Meeting with Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey, an aide from Congressman Luke Messer’s office and staff from the local newspaper Rushville Republican to discuss the dangers of asbestos and action needed.

Congressional Record

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Mike Mavey, Allison and Tim
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Engaging with the community at both the Corner Restaurant and the Rushville Pharmacy, which dedicated June 19 as Wonder Woman Day and made donations from their sales to Janelle’s charities of choice, ADAO and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF).

Corner Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Attending a Rushville City Council meeting.

City Council Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See more photos here: http://on.fb.me/12KFS8L

To Janelle, her husband Andrew, her son Carson, her family, friends and all that have been so supportive in the city of Rushville, I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me and for all of your hard work in raising awareness about asbestos and mesothelioma.

If every town around the world was as supportive of asbestos disease patients as Rushville has been, people with mesothelioma wouldn’t face the huge challenges that they face today and they wouldn’t be so alone.  It was truly an honor to meet all of you and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Together, change is possible.

Linda

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