Posted on February 6, 2011: ADAO and IATP: Communication, Collaboration, and Action to Prevent Asbestos Exposure by Christine Winter
Posted on January 22, 2013: ADAO to be Honored with the IATP Global Impact Award
Posted on January 23 , 2015
As always, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is honored to be featured in the Independence Asbestos Training Providers (IATP) newsletter with the article “IATP: Standing on the front line of prevention“. This article is just one example of many – a continuation of ADAO and IATP’s long standing tradition of Partnering for Prevention. Thank you IATP for continuing to support and uphold our organization and asbestos victims everywhere. ~ Linda
ADAO Guest Blogs for the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP)
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IATP: STANDING ON THE FRONT LINE OF PREVENTION
Congratulations to the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP) members for their continued efforts as national and international leaders to raise asbestos awareness and prevent exposure! 2014 was a year of triumph and pain, but – through the collective activism of civil society, the private sector, and government – we know we can make change happen. As the Chinese Proverb states, “Out of the hottest fire comes the strongest steel.” In reflecting back on 2014, I see that together, we have galvanized in our mission and vision for a future without asbestos.
We’ve seen mesothelioma and asbestos awareness circle the globe. Thanks to IATP, the 2014 Global Asbestos Awareness Week on April 1-7 was the strongest ever. Focused on prevention, Asbestos: One Word. One World. One Week. brought together experts and Warriors sharing content from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the USA. We hope you will join us again in April!
Bravo to you – you banned asbestos in 1999; however, asbestos’ collateral damage is still seen and felt in the UK, USA, and around the world. Like many of you know, compliancy is not an option. “The duty to manage” isn’t just four words – but a heartfelt ethical passion and principle you embrace.
In 2003, after enduring nine months of symptoms and doctors visits, my husband, Alan, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly asbestos-related cancer. The Asbestos Disease 
Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent non-profit, was founded as a result. It’s been a bittersweet journey since Alan passed away, but ADAO has been my fuel to persevere. And, thanks to you, our partnerships to eliminate mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases through education, advocacy, and community support have expanded. These partnerships maximize our human, financial, and political resources and help ADAO use nearly 90% of its funding (comprised of individual donors and conference sponsors) on educational programs. In order to maintain our independence and credibility, ADAO does not make legal referrals.
WHILE PROMISING RESEARCH CONTINUES, PREVENTION REMAINS THE ONLY CURE
Last year, when I presented at the United Nations World Congress “Asbestos in the Americas” session, I spoke with Director General Guy Ryder about asbestos workers’ safety and health issues. He agreed that, “Asbestos is a threat to everyone, not just workers,” and recognized the importance of building a culture of prevention. For us, asbestos remains legal and lethal, and 10,000 Americans die each year.
As you know all too well, most people can’t identify asbestos or manage the risks associated with it. During repairs, renovation, construction, or a disaster, asbestos products can release fibers into the air, creating a carcinogenic dust. I often ask Congressional Members, “Do you know where asbestos is in:
- Your home?
- Your community?
- Your workplace?”
Undoubtedly, the recent news in the USA put pressure on the Congress. In July, there was an asbestos scare in U.S. Capitol, which served as a reminder of America’s Failure to Act.
Right in my backyard, the Ocean View School District (OVSD) in Huntington Beach, CA faced asbestos abatement risk and management issues. The district was abating asbestos-contaminated material as part of a large-scale modernization project and exposed students and staff to asbestos.
In April 2014, the Acting U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak issued an asbestos warning statement and delivered our conference keynote address. He said clearly, “Asbestos is not a thing of the past. It continues to this day.”
The recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study of three cohorts in San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia gave us new data last year to reinforce the need for a ban and to prevent exposure. As reported, “The population of firefighters in the study had a rate of mesothelioma two times greater than the rate in the U.S. population as a whole.”
THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION 
With 40% of the world population having an Internet connection, technology is redefining social activism. Even government agencies are utilizing these social media platforms to increase awareness and prevention nationally and internationally. The opportunity to raise awareness, drive action, create partnerships, and grow your business – all at the touch of a button – has never been greater. The recent Pew Foundation study reported that 90% of American adults have a cell phone, demonstrating the interconnectedness of our modern world and how we can utilize these communication trends to spread awareness.
As much as possible, ADAO sparks passion for change through micro messaging on social media; macro messaging through blogging; publishing easy-to-read infographics; and sharing the inspiring stories of incredible Warriors affected by asbestos.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Facts and statistics are important, but engaging the reader’s mind, body, and heart is the crux of successful digital storytelling. In the past, being seen, heard, and felt were target goals. Now we value stories that are shared, understood, discussed, and – more importantly – remembered. This emotional tie is what links our facts to the deceased, our policy to the people. It is the spark that ignites real change. From real emotion comes real passion, and this is what we need to share with our lawmakers, community, and educators – the awe-inspiring stories of these incredible warriors.
ADAO’s largely online international community led by the example of IATP and the asbestos ban in place in the UK, provides a cathartic forum for victims of asbestos diseases and their families to share, grieve, and help. They have the opportunity “Share Your Story” and participate in community events that is not only important for them but help collect victims’ pictures and stories – not just hard facts – that paint an even more meaningful message as we work with Congress and agencies.
BOLD YOUNG LEADERS IN 2014
ADAO partnered with many bold young leaders in 2014 and was inspired by their successes around the world. Some powerful examples include:
- Global Ban Asbestos Network (GBAN) recently helped Australians Paul Palmer and Samuel Anthonysz connect with Indonesian GBAN Member, Darisman, so they were able to host their Asbestos Health Awareness Campaign on December 21, 2014.
- ADAO partnered with the Ahmed family of Pakistan so they could coordinate Pakistan’s First Ban Asbestos Conference.
- ADAO’s youth mentoring program helped Sinem Kankotan of Turkey organize the first “Asbestos – Future Summit” university conference.
A PROMISING 2015
Prevention remains the only cure, but ADAO is confident that – through partnerships such as ours with IATP and the tools of the digital revolution – change will continue to happen in 2015!
IATP is already off to a fantastic year! By leveraging the new and creative trends to raise awareness and funds for research, Wayne and Chloe have taken awareness to new heights and pioneered a path for all of us to follow – at 10,000 feet! It’s also exciting to see Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill advance research! You truly have support and applause from around the world. And, of course, ADAO wishes you great success on your January 31st event!
Furthermore, I invite you to join us in person or virtually for the ADAO’s 11th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference April 17-19, 2015 in Washington, D.C. and the European Asbestos Forum conference May 27, 2015 in in Amsterdam. ADAO remains the only U.S. nonprofit organizing annual conferences dedicated solely to preventing exposure and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases. We are excited to share with you our new infographic that illustrates our progress. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the global conversation via Facebook and Twitter!
As a mesothelioma widow and ADAO co-founder, I passionately believe that together, change is possible. I look forward to continuing the IATP and ADAO conversation online or in person via my contact information below.
As Helen Keller says, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Cheers to a bright, bold, and safe 2015!
Linda Reinstein
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.