Posted in March 2011
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a common bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the new “Share Your Story” feature on our website.
This week, we would like to honor the courageous story of Julie. We are pleased that Julie presented at our 7th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference on in Atlanta. She shared, “The Power of Public Health Advocacy: A Patient’s Perspective.”
ADAO is honored to recognize Julie with the Alan Reinstein Award at the conference.
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.
JULIE’S STORY
Name: Julie
Age: 39
State: Missouri
Date of 1st Symptoms: 7-AUG-2006
Date of Diagnosis: 23-AUG-2006
Diagnosis: peritoneal mesothelioma
Treatment: Initial debulking, surgery with chemo infusion 3 times, and nearly 20 chemotherapy treatments.No treatment since November 2008.
How has Asbestos changed your life? (unedited):
Until my diagnosis in 2006 of peritoneal mesothelioma, I had no idea about the devastation wreaked by asbestos, and the industry that supports it. The countless lives destroyed by this greed are unconscionable. My family has been put through unimaginable grief and pain, and my daughter, 3 at my diagnosis, will never be able to regain the time she spent without a mother while my attention was focused on fighting this horrific cancer.
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