Posted on June 1, 2016
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is honored to present at London Hazards Centre’s 11th Action Mesothelioma Day on July 1, 2016 in London, England. This year, ADAO will join trade unions, asbestos victim organizations, and experts in conversations centered around the the theme “Mesothelioma The Silent Killer.”
The day’s events will open with a ceremonial release of doves symbolizing the freeing of spirits of those lost to mesothelioma. Building on the strength from last year’s event, ADAO will take the stage at around 10:30 a.m. to help kick off the day’s enriching talks. We are thrilled to present alongside speakers who have been instrumental in promoting asbestos awareness and workers’ safety in the UK, including Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC); Dr. Peter Szlosarek, consultant at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital; Harminder Bains, partner and joint head of the asbestos and mesothelioma team at Leigh Day; Mavis Nye, mesothelioma victim; Tony Lennon, president of the Southern & Eastern Region of the Trades Union Congress (SERTUC); David Trigg, chair of Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team; Susan Murray, national health and safety adviser for Unite Here; Sarah Lyons, asbestos lead for the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC); Phillip Lewis, acting chair of the Hazards Asbestos London Team (HALT); and Gill Reed, retired health and safety adviser from National Union of Teachers (NUT).
Asbestos, a known human carcinogen, is a global problem that requires worldwide advocacy to prevent and cure asbestos-caused diseases. Here are the facts from the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
- Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is more than the number of people killed on the road.
- Around 20 tradesman die each week as a result of past exposure
- However, asbestos is not just a problem of the past. It can be present today in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000.
Building a strong global network allows us to partner for prevention both within our own borders and, ultimately, around the world. While we are in London for Action Mesothelioma Day, ADAO will take the opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships with U.K.-based colleagues dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure and advancing research efforts for a cure. We look forward to collaborating with old friends and meeting new ones this year while honoring Action Mesothelioma Day!
Follow the conversation around Action Mesothelioma Day on Twitter with #ActionMesoDay2016.
Together, change is possible.
Linda
Watch for Action Mesothelioma Day events organized by:
- Asbestos Awareness and Support across Wales
- Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK
- Asbestos Support West Midlands
- British Lung Foundation
- Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group
- Cumbria Asbestos-Related Disease Support
- Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team
- Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group
- Hampshire Asbestos Support & Awareness Group
- June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund
- London Hazards Centre’s
- Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support
- Mesothelioma UK
- South Yorkshire Asbestos Victims Support Group