MEDIA ADVISORY
Tenth Annual ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference Features Prominent Experts including Acting U.S. Surgeon General
Washington, DC – March 24, 2014– The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest independent non-profit organization in the U.S. which combines education, advocacy, and community support, is hosting its 10th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2014, with activities planned throughout the weekend. The international conference provides education and outreach to families, employers/employees and scientists on a global scale as part of ADAO’s continuing effort to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos, ban its use, and encourage research efforts to improve treatment options.
WHAT: ADAO’s 10th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference: “Where Knowledge and Action Unite”
WHEN: Conference – Saturday, April 5, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Awards and Recognition Dinner, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Performance by Jordan Zevon, ADAO National Spokesperson
Unity and Remembrance Brunch – Sunday, April 6, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
WHY: To share information and provide support to those affected by asbestos-related diseases, including survivors, families and physicians. Prominent physicians, scientists, safety and health directors and survivors are presenting up-to-date information about the status of asbestos in the United States and worldwide.
WHO: 30+ Esteemed Speakers, Courageous Patients and Esteemed Volunteers, Public Service Leaders, Doctors, and Supporters dedicated to preventing asbestos-caused diseases.
2014 Asbestos Awareness Conference Keynote Speakers Include:
- Saturday: Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, Acting U.S. Surgeon General
- Sunday: Sue Vento, Widow of the late Congressman Bruce Vento
- Sunday: Heather Von St. James, Mesothelioma Patient
Marilyn Amento, Mesothelioma Widow; Brad Black, MD, Center for Asbestos and Related Disease; Michael Bradley, Mesothelioma Patient; Jill Cagle, Mesothelioma Widow; Barbara Catlin, M.Ac; Barry Castleman, ScD; Ellen Costa, Mesothelioma Patient; David Egilman, MD, Brown University Family Medicine; Arthur Frank, MD, PhD, Drexel University School of Public Health; Fernanda Giannasi, Associação Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto (ABREA); Marc Hindry, Association Nationale de Défense des Victimes de l’Amiante (ANDEVA); Sinem Kankotan, Turkish Delegate; Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH, Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (ret.); Rear Admiral, USPHS (ret.); Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, Acting U.S. Surgeon General (Keynote Speaker); Steven Markowitz, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, CCHE, Queens College; Jim Melius, MD, Laborers’ International Union of North America; Captain Aubrey K. Miller, M.D., M.P.H., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH); Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH; Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MS, FACPM, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital; Ellen Patton, Mesothelioma Patient; Pierre Pluta, Association Nationale de Défense des Victimes de l’Amiante (ANDEVA); Bill Ravanesi, MPH, Health Care Without Harm; Linda Reinstein, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Co-Founder; Barry Robson, Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA); Joachim Rosler, MD University of Cologne, Germany; Ann Samuelson, Asbestos Victim; Ken Takahashi, MD, PhD, Occupational Health University of Occupational and Environmental Health (UOEH); Lisa Rahe Thompson, Asbestos Victim; Susan Vento, Widow of Congressman Bruce Vento (Keynote Speaker); Heather Von St James, Mesothelioma Patient (Keynote Speaker); Yvonne Waterman, PhD, LLM, Waterman Legal Consultancy; Congressman Henry Waxman * by Video; James Webber, PhD; Christopher P. Weis, Ph.D., DABT, National Institute for Environmental Health Science (NIEHS); Heather White, Environmental Working Group; Lou Williams, Mesothelioma Patient; Jordan Zevon, ADAO National Spokesperson & Musician; Paul Zygielbaum, Mesothelioma Patient
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About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO is the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice through our education, advocacy, and community initiatives. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims’ civil rights. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Media Contact:
Kim Cecchini
Media Relations
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
(202) 391-5205
Kim@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org