For Immediate Release: September 11, 2014
ADAO Honored to Serve as Beneficiary for the “Miles for Meso” Event September 27 in Alton, Illinois
Proceeds to Benefit ADAO’s Education, Advocacy, and Community Efforts
Los Angeles, CA – September 11, 2014 – The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest independent non-profit organization in the U.S. which combines education, advocacy, and community to help ensure justice for asbestos victims; is honored to serve as the beneficiary of the 6th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K race and 2K fun run/walk at 9 AM, on Sat., Sept. 27th in Alton, Illinois. An initiative of the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation, the race proceeds will support ADAO in its continued global battle against asbestos disease.
ADAO National Spokesperson, Jordan Zevon, son of the Grammy-winning artist and mesothelioma victim, Warren Zevon, will perform. Hundreds of people are expected to attend the Alton Miles for Meso race to help raise awareness and funds in honor of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. A variety of family-friendly activities including Zevon’s performance, free food, face-painting, a kids’ game zone, and a dog adoption event will take place during this year’s race. The 5K race offers a competitive course for runners. The overall top five male and top five female runners of the 5K race will receive cash prizes. All registrants will receive a long-sleeved Miles for Meso T-shirt. Online registration ends September 22.
For the first time, ADAO is also forming a Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team for those who cannot attend but would like to have someone run on their behalf or in memory of a loved one. Interested participants in the Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team can also register online. The submitted Mesothelioma Warrior name will be printed and given to a registered runner and the virtual running team will be gathered at the race for a photograph.
“While promising research continues for mesothelioma, prevention remains the best cure,” stated ADAO President/CEO Linda Reinstein. “As the only independent asbestos victims organization dedicated to protecting public health and our civil rights, we are thrilled to be the beneficiary for this year’s The Miles for Meso race event. We appreciate Miles for Meso’s sponsor, Simmons Hanly Conroy, and all the other sponsors of this year’s race who will be supporting our work to educate everyone about the dangers of asbestos. Whether or not you are a runner, I hope you’ll join us in celebration of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day on Sept. 26. Together, change is possible.”
Despite its known dangers, there is still no global ban on asbestos, and it continues to claim lives. Exposure to asbestos, a human carcinogen, can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers; as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The World Health Organization estimates that 107,000 workers around the world will die every year of an asbestos-related disease, equaling 300 deaths per day.
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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