Posted on January 7, 2015

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 Alessandro, as shared by his son Paolo, 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.

“I was Left Without my Biggest Supporter”– Alessandro’s StoryAlessandro - SYS

Name: Alessandro

Location: Milan, Italy

Date of Birth: JULY 1941

Date of Diagnosis: 1999

Diagnosis: Mesothelioma

Date of Death: 18-FEB-2002

How has asbestos changed your life?

If I’m a filmmaker it’s because of my father. My Dad was an accountant with a high school diploma, working 9 to 5 in a big corporation. But he had a true, deep love for movies and when I told him I wanted to become a film director, he supported my dream all the way. In 1999 he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He put up an extraordinary fight and he passed away three years later. He missed the whole development of my career and I was left without my biggest supporter.

After 12 years, we still have no idea how he got in contact with asbestos.

My short film THE MOTHER is dedicated to his memory.

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