Posted on June 27, 2018

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 Bruce, shared by his wife Julie, who is 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.

“It’s a Cancer Battle That is Almost Impossible to Win” – Bruce’s Story

Name: Bruce

Location: Australia

Date of Birth: 10/09/1950

Diagnosis: Mesothelioma

Date of Diagnosis: 05/06/2003

Date of Death: 01/22/2006

How has asbestos changed your life? (Shared by his wife, Julie – unedited)

It’s hard to imagine the impact on lives that minimal exposure to asbestos can have. Bruce’s exposure was from farming activities, possibly in one major incident alone, where unknowingly he cut into asbestos sheeting (thinking it was simply cement sheet) using an angle-grinder tool. The dust resulting from this one activity was most likely the source of his diagnosis, some 25 years later. It is a horrid cancer. It’s a cancer battle almost impossible to win. The sad thing is that with more education and labelling, many deaths from mesothelioma could have been avoided.

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