Meet Penny Jo Major – ADAO’s 2026 Ban Asbestos Miles for Meso Team Captain
Register Now | Every Mile Matters: Join Us for Miles for Meso 2026 on September 19 in Alton, IL
Miles for Mesothelioma – Simmons Hanly Conroy
Race Roster: 18th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5k Race & 3K Fun Run/Walk
Some people run for a personal best. Penny Jo Major walks to honor her father.
When Penny’s father, Donald “Mac” McKinley, was diagnosed with mesothelioma at just 48 years old, she had never heard of the disease. One year later, asbestos had taken his life.
Since then, Penny has dedicated herself to making sure other families know the dangers of asbestos and why prevention matters.
For nearly a decade, Penny has been a committed member of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), turning loss into action through education, advocacy, and community outreach. As captain of ADAO’s Ban Asbestos Team, she has welcomed new participants to Miles for Meso year after year, helping grow a community united by one goal: preventing future asbestos-related diseases.
“Asbestos took my dad’s life. That’s why I’ll never stop fighting until no other family has to experience what ours did.” — Penny Jo Major
This September, Penny once again invites patients, families, caregivers, advocates, and supporters to join her for the 18th Annual Miles for Meso.
Whether you participate in Alton, Illinois, or join virtually from anywhere in the world, every mile represents something bigger than a race. Every step honors those we’ve lost, supports those living with mesothelioma, and advances efforts to prevent future asbestos exposure.
This year’s theme, “Let the Good Times Run,” celebrates the spirit of jazz, which brings people together through rhythm, resilience, and community. Together, we’ll raise awareness, support families affected by mesothelioma, and keep moving toward a future free from asbestos-related disease.
Join Penny and the ADAO Ban Asbestos Team. Register today and help turn every mile into action.