Posted on September 13, 2024

At ADAO’s 20th Anniversary Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference, we proudly unveiled the second edition of Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives Forever. With more than 200 personal stories, this book is more than a collection of stories; it’s a testament to our global community’s strength, resilience, and unity.

In 2008, we launched the “Share Your Story” campaign to give individuals a space to connect, share, and find strength in one another. The power of personal narratives became clear during my first trip to Washington, D.C., when I shared a photo of my husband, Alan, dancing with our daughter, Emily. I realized then how deeply these stories could inspire people to act, and today, over 200 stories from asbestos victims and their families are part of this book. Each story speaks to the courage, loss, and hope that drives our mission.

This edition also features nine powerful posters by award-winning photojournalist Earl Dotter, whose work has captured the essence of our fight for justice. His latest poster, Badges of Pain || Voices of Change, reflects our community’s strength and determination.

The stories in this book have played a critical role in raising awareness and driving policy reform. They’ve put a human face to the asbestos crisis in congressional hearings and the media, helping us secure bipartisan support for change.

The unveiling of this book at our conference was a time of unity, remembrance, and renewed commitment. It’s more than a tribute to the past; it’s a call to action. We invite everyone to continue sharing their stories, joining our campaigns, and standing with us as we work toward a world without asbestos-related diseases.

I’m honored to share this book with you, and I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to Earl Dotter and Chris Carberg for their dedication to this project.

With respect, remembrance, and commitment,

Linda Reinstein
Mesothelioma Widow of Alan Reinstein
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