Posted on July 1, 2019

Friday, July 5 is Action Mesothelioma Day in the United Kingdom. Organizations throughout the country will host events to raise awareness about mesothelioma and remember those who have lost their battle with the disease. Tragically, Great Britain has one of the highest per capita rates of mesothelioma in the world.

Unfortunately, ADAO is unable to attend the Action Mesothelioma Day activities this year in the U.K., but we proudly support all who fight for awareness, prevention, and a cure. 

No matter where you are in the world, asbestos kills — it’s the biggest occupational cancer killer, claiming more than 200,000 lives a year worldwide, according to the Global Health Data Exchange. In the United Kingdom and the United States alone, in 2017, over 55,000 people died died from mesothelioma, lung, ovarian, laryngeal cancers, and asbestosis.

According to the new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data released this morning:

  • There were 2,523 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2017, a broadly similar number to the previous five years.
  • The latest projections suggest that there will continue to be around 2,500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline.
  • More than half of annual deaths now occur in those aged over 75 years. Annual deaths in this age group continue to increase while deaths below age 70 are now decreasing.
  • There were 2,084 male deaths in 2017, a slight reduction compared with recent years, and 439 female deaths, a slight increase.
  • There were 2,025 new cases of mesothelioma assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2017 of which 235 were female. This compares with 2,170 new cases in 2016, of which 240 were female.
  • Men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively are now among those most at risk of mesothelioma.

At a number of tandem events across the country, participants will release doves and balloons as a poignant symbol of the countless individuals and families who have been affected by mesothelioma. There will also be a number of organizations who will put on educational and memorial events throughout the United Kingdom.  Please see below. 

Join ADAO in showing your support for the UK’s annual Action Mesothelioma Day by sharing information about the day with your social networks or making a donation to one of the charities below. I will be lighting a candle for my late husband Alan, and many others who have courageously shared their mesothelioma battle with the world in efforts to end this man-made disaster.

Linda

Social Networks

The list below was posted by the excellent Mesothelioma UK, a national specialist resource centre, specifically for the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. an umbrella organization, representing asbestos victims support groups. 

Action Mesothelioma Day Friday 5th July 2019

Leicester

Friday 5 July, from 2pm

Leicester Cathedral

Mesothelioma UK hosts a service at the cathedral followed by a dove release, and tea and cake. Email info@mesothelioma.uk.com or call 0800 1692409 to register your interest and request your paper dove for the remembrance tree.

 

Barrow-in-Furness

Friday 5 July, 11.00am – 2.30pm

Barrow Market, 28 Duje St, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1HU

Disability First CIO and Cumbria & Lancashire Asbestos Support Advice Group host a special AMD event with a focus on welfare benefits take up.

 

Canterbury

Friday 5 July, 1.30 – 4.30pm

ARCA village hall, 151 Ashford Road, Thanington Without, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3XR

London Asbestos Support Awareness Group hosts an event with a welcome message from Mavis Nye followed by a cream tea, tombola, book stall, cake stall and plant sale. RSVP by 21 June to Alison or Marika.

 

Cardiff

Friday 5 July

TBC

Asbestos Awareness and Support Cymru host the event for patients and families. Call 01495 272 479 for more details.

 

Cambridge

Friday 5 July, 1-3pm

Hemingford Abbots Village Hall

The Papworth Mesothelioma Social Group host a dove release, and tea and cake. All welcome. Email kateslaven@nhs.net

 

County Durham

Friday 5 July, 11-2pm

Redworth Hall Hotel, Surtees Rd., Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6NL

The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund hosts a dove release and afternoon tea with guest speakers.

 

Kent

Friday 5 July, 11am

Royal Dockyard Church, Chatham Dockyard, ME4 4ST

Brachers solicitors host a lunch with talk from leading oncologist, Dr Peter Szlosarek and dove release at 11.15am. From 1pm, specialist advisors will be available. Email francescalodej@brachers.co.uk if you require disabled parking.

 

Leeds

Friday 5 July, 1-3pm

Leeds Town Hall

Mesothelioma Support Yorkshire hosts visitors with a celebratory balloon arch where guests can write the names of loved ones on the balloons. Afternoon tea followed by a butterfly release on the Town Hall steps. Email Simon.bolton1@nhs.net or call 0787 5511 323

 

Leeds

Friday 5 July, 10am-4pm

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4D

The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund hosts a day for patients, families, doctors, nurses and researchers to come together and develop a deeper understanding of research and its role in improving treatment and care. Email: research@junehancockfund.org, text 07971 480744 or phone 0113 343 0864 (voice mail) to book your place.

 

Manchester

Friday 5 July, from 12.30pm

Barbirolli Square, next to the Bridgewater Hall, central Manchester

Rally, speeches and dove release on Barbirolli Square and a public meeting at 1pm in the nearby Friends Meeting House on Mount Street, close to Manchester Town Hall. All details can be found here.

 

Merseyside and Cheshire

Friday 5 July

The Racquet Club, Hargreaves Buildings, 5 Chapel St., Liverpool, L3 9AG

The Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group hosts a dove release at 12pm with a buffet, raffle and ‘Meet the experts’ session. Call 0151 236 1895 or email info@mavsg.org.

 

Plymouth

Friday 5 July, 11.30am – 3pm

St Elizabeth’s House, Plymouth

SWASAG hosts a day of remembrance with guest speakers, lunch and a butterfly release. Call Julie on 07446 255524 or email julie@swasag.co.uk

 

Sheffield

Friday 5 July, 11.30am – 1pm

Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, Sheffield

South Yorkshire Asbestos Victims Support Group holds a commemorative name reading followed by speakers, Sheffield Soloist Choir, refreshments and a buffet lunch. Complete this form to have a name added to the reading.

 

Swindon

Saturday 6 July, from 11am

Mesothelioma Memorial Gardens, Queens Park, Swindon

Royds Withy King host a ceremony followed by drinks and cake in the Park Cafe. Speakers, dove release and memorial tree. Please bring a photo of your loved ones who are affected by an asbestos-related disease. Email Jennifer Seavor or call 01793 847 707.

 

Bury St Edmunds

Sunday 7 July, from 10am

St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Abbey House, Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 1LS

Anglia Asbestos Diseased Support Group members will attend the service of music, poetry and readings, followed by a release of commemorative doves. A roll call in honour of lost loved ones followed by a buffet lunch and a visit to the Old Abbey and tomb of St. Edmund.

 

London

Friday 12 July, 10.30am – 11.30am

Guy’s Chapel, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and LASAG host a memorial and thanksgiving service. Contact Rachel Thomas, Mesothelioma UK CNS on 0188 4758 or Richard Mullens from LASAG on 0808 278 2515.