Posted on June 4, 2014
This June it will be a year since our community lost two beloved Mesothelioma Warriors. Our hearts still break as we remember Janelle Bedel and Debbie Brewer this month. They were recognized with the Alan Reinstein Award for their commitment to education, advocacy and support to countless patients and families around the world. I dearly miss their friendship.
I loved Janelle’s outspoken commitment to “show people we’re not statistics, we’re real people!” Janelle’s town of Rushville, IN embraced her, followed her story and called her their Wonder Woman. Janelle and I met online through the mesothelioma community in 2007. I quickly became aware that she could purr like a kitten or ROAR like a lion when it can to raising awareness and funds to ban asbestos and find a cure. Janelle’s friends and families will celebrate Janelle on June 6 for “Wonder Woman Day” at the Rush County Fairgrounds at 8:30pm for a candle light vigil. Please watch for an article in the Rushville Republican soon.
Debbie and I shared many years together as moms, friends, and activists.When we first met in 2008 at the Mesothelioma Patient Carer Day in Leeds, England, I felt as if we had always known each other. She had a special magic and brightened everyone’s day. Debbie was a cornerstone of social media for Meso Warriors around the world and she was always there to listen. Her blog, Mesothelioma and Me, was full of words of encouragement and generous sharing of others’ stories, not just her own. “I am going to have a YAY for the DAY,” Debbie wrote in May 2013, quoting the philosophy of a Meso Warrior friend. “So my YAY,” she continued, “is a big thank you to everyone who is supporting me.” Our YAY for the DAY at ADAO is the great privilege we had of knowing these two remarkable women. We continue the fight to end mesothelioma with prevention and a cure. When her family is ready, we will present the global book of condolences message to them.
Please join me in sending their families our support and prayers as they continue their healing journey and light a candle in loving memory on June 9th for Debbie and June 19th for Janelle.
Remembering …
Linda