Posted on December 30, 2013
ADAO has exponentially grown in 2013 because of YOU resulting in the utterly best year ever for education, advocacy, and community. As we begin celebrating our 10th anniversary, ADAO has proven to be much more than an organization focused solely on banning asbestos. You can read and share the below list of success and collaboration (2013 Year-In-Review) with your family, friends, and colleagues.
As we come to the end of the year, I want to give special thanks to the many ADAO volunteers, interns, and the brave mesothelioma patients and families for their continued support. To those who have shared their stories, served as conference presenters, 2013 Conference Sponsors, and members of the ADAO Leadership and Science Advisory Board, we are eternally grateful. These are the individuals who fuel our work with contributions in dollars, hours, thought, and action.
I hear 2014 beginning to roar. With your help, ADAO will be ready for the next steps to prevent asbestos caused diseases and make certain asbestos victims’ civil rights are protected.
Together we have proven the old Chinese Proverb to be true: “Out of the hottest fire comes the strongest steel.” Wishing you a New Year filled with love, hope, laughter, and of course, a touch of magic.
In unity,
Linda
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice, exponentially expanded our reach and education, advocacy, and community impact in 2013. With more than 25,000 people in its network, ADAO took our voice to the front lines to influence global policy, advocate for an asbestos ban, and promote research. We further strengthened our network of victims, physicians, researchers, public health practitioners, and labor union members by utilizing a variety of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. ADAO also increased our credibility as a leader in the field by establishing a presence on Wikipedia, presenting at Yale’s University Global Health & Innovation Conference and the International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Pleural Mesothelioma, and testifying at U.S. House and Senate hearings. We were honored to receive the Silver Stevie Award for Company of the Year – Non-Profit Category, the Global Impact Award from the Independent Asbestos Training Providers, England, and the Mesothelioma Warriors Award from the International Online Asbestos Community. Every award and ounce of recognition ADAO receives is only possible due to the efforts of volunteers, supporters, and donors who fuel our work and further our cause. Our growth in 2013 has been significant and we eagerly look forward to even greater success in 2014.
2013 Education Initiatives: In an effort to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos exposure, ADAO:
- Distributed monthly eNewsletters with up-to-date asbestos-related events and news to over 3,500 contacts
- Hosted ADAO’s 3-day 9th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conferencewhich brought together more than 125 world-renowned patients, physicians, researchers, educators, and public health advocates to discuss updates on the prevention, detection, treatment of asbestos-related disease and global advocacy for an asbestos ban
- Continually updated ADAO’s website highlighting asbestos-related news and events and housing extensive educational resources, including an Asbestos Video Library of conference videos and educational presentations
- Presented at numerous international conferences and events, including:
- Yale University’s Global Health & Innovation Conference in New Haven, CT (April 2013)
- “Asbestos: USA Toxic Trade” Press Conference in Washington, D.C. (April 2013)
- “Asbestos: No Longer the Magic Mineral,” Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in Los Angeles, CA (April 2013)
- Community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn for Safe Asbestos Abatement at Domino Sugar Refinery (April 2013)
- 3rd International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Santa Monica, CA (May 2013)
2013 Advocacy Initiatives: In order to advocate for an international ban on asbestos use and the mining and exportation of this known carcinogen, ADAO:
- Created and promoted the International Petition to Ban Asbestos and Save Lives which calls for an end to asbestos use. The petition, with over 2,500 supporter signatures, was delivered to the U.S. Congress in June 2013.
- Supported the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Ninth Annual Resolution which designated April 1-7, 2013 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”
- Partnered with various national and international organizations to speak out against asbestos use and promote public health
- Served as a resource to various news publications, including the Huffington Post and published a Letter to the Editor in The Wall Street Journal (May 2013)
- Requently published blogs to expose international instances of occupational safety and workers’ health violations and spark opposition to the continued mining, exportation, and use of asbestos
- Hosted a U.S. Senate staff briefing (June 2013)
- Testified at the U.S. Senate EPW Committee hearing, “Strengthening Public Health Protections by Addressing Toxic Chemical Threats” (July 2013)
- Testified at the U.S. House hearing, “Regulation of Existing Chemicals and the Role of Pre-Emption under Sections 6 and 18 of the Toxic Substances Control Act” (September 2013)
- Co-sponsored a U.S. House of Representatives staff FACT Act Briefing (November 2013)
2013 Community Initiatives: In an effort to provide a community of support for those affected by asbestos, ADAO:
- Coordinated Global Asbestos Awareness Week to raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure
- Published frequent “Share Your Story” blogs through our website and social media platforms. Published collection in the “Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives” book. Shared by victims and their families, these stories honor individuals whose lives have been devastated by asbestos-related disease.
- Hosted several virtual candlelight vigils throughout the year via ADAO’s “Light a Candle” website. These vigils provide an opportunity for individuals to honor loved ones who have lost or are currently fighting a courageous battle with asbestos-related disease.
- Delivered letters from U.S. Senator Donnelly (IN) and Mayor Mike Pavey to Mesothelioma Warrior, Janelle, in Rushville, IN
- Utilized ADAO’s Facebook Page, Facebook Group pages, and Twitter presence to provide an interactive medium for those seeking a space to share, vent, or obtain information