Posted on June 19, 2015
Barbara McQueen had only been married several years when her husband, Steve McQueen, was stolen from her by the insidious killer – mesothelioma. In the wake of his passing, Barbara suffered unimaginable sorrow from losing someone she loved so much. Yet, time and time again she has showed immeasurable strength, grace, and compassion, transforming her loss into a powerful agent in the battle against mesothelioma.
Barbara joined the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) back in 2011, campaigning for a ban on the deadly carcinogen, asbestos, that robbed her of a happy life with Steve. McQueen, former model and now author/photographer, said:
“Mesothelioma is a horrible disease. It robbed me of my life and future with Steve and took away an icon beloved by millions around the world. For whatever reasons, most people think that asbestos is banned in America…I want to bring awareness that asbestos is still legal in the U.S. and continues to kill. It can kill a movie star, a musician or a construction worker. It takes no prisoners.”
Barbara has made a great impact and brought an overwhelming amount of attention to the cause through her book – “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile,” published in 2007, which documents their three-and-a-half-year relationship and includes candid shots from 1977 to 1980. McQueen has hosted several art exhibits of her work around the world, presented to dignitaries and scientific experts at the White House, and spoken at ADAO conferences and Congressional Staff Briefings. Her book has been presented to The First Lady, at two iMig Conferences, and numerous international conferences. Believing in asbestos awareness, Barbie even allowed me to write a featured page about ADAO in the revised 2012 edition of “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile… revisited” to raise further awareness.
Without a doubt, Barbie McQueen is an amazing woman, and a very personal friend of mine who has been here for me and ADAO through thick and thin. I want to personally congratulate her on the success of her book and multitude of achievements, and thank her for her unrelenting and serving as the ADAO Celebrity Co-Chair!
Please email info@adao.us if you would like to order your autographed copy of the “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile… revisited” for a donation of $100.00.
Barbi, we love and thank YOU! Make we all learn from Steve’s powerful words, “”When I believe in something, I fight like hell for it.”
Linda