Posted on November 4, 2024
We hope you will join us in the fight against asbestos-caused illnesses with a donation to support the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) this giving season. ADAO is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to ending the scourge of asbestos in the United States. Our goal is simple: end the importation and use of asbestos in the United States and stop the needless deaths from asbestos-caused diseases.
Over 40,000 Americans die each year from mesothelioma, asbestosis, and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries, all of which are caused by asbestos exposure — and all of which are preventable if we remove asbestos from the equation. We continue to push Congress, the White House, and the companies who are responsible for asbestos imports to end the use of this dangerous and unnecessary toxic substance.
We would not be able to achieve these wins without your support. Every single donation that you make allows us to spend more time fighting this fight rather than raising funds.
We hope you will remember to include ADAO when you plan your year-end giving. All donations to ADAO are tax-deductible as allowable by law. And our small nonpartisan, nonprofit organization depends on your support to sustain our important and lifesaving work.
With your gift, our programming takes shape each year.
Here are 8 ways we fight asbestos with your help.
- Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference: We organize the only annual conference dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases, featuring public health, medical, and workplace experts. Thanks to stakeholder, personal, and sponsor support, we are able to share the recordings and learnings from this conference with our global community and stay true to our belief that there should be no barrier to life-saving resources and education.
- “Art, Advocacy, and Action”: ADAO partners with amazing artists who bring their talent and voices to spread awareness about asbestos and asbestos-related diseases through their work. Past collaborations have included filmmaker Judd Apatow, musician Warren Zevon, Award Winning Photographer Earl Dotter, and the widow of late-actor Steve McQueen.
- Congressional Staff Briefings: ADAO mobilizes its community of science, health, and environmental experts to brief Congressional staffers and members of Congress about the need to ban asbestos imports and use in the United States. Members and their staff can dig deep into the latest research and developments with our experts in these exclusive briefings and truly hear and see the devastating impact asbestos has on their constituents.
- Global Asbestos Awareness Week: We are proud to support this international effort to share resources and information about how to stay safe from asbestos. In conjunction with this annual event, ADAO has also asked for and received Congressional recognition for “National Asbestos Awareness Week” for nearly two decades.
- Educational Resources: Our website acts as a resource for asbestos-related news and information. We also answer common questions like: “Do I have asbestos in my home?” to “What’s mesothelioma?” and “How can I get help?” so anyone can find expert information from an unbiased source. Our Science Advisory Board ensures that our information is always up-to-date and accurate.
- Shared Story Bank: Personal stories are the most impactful way to teach people about the dangers of asbestos exposure. We collect and highlight the courageous stories of our members with the “Share Your Story” feature on our website.
- Champion Legislation: ADAO continues to champion the bicameral Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, a comprehensive commercial ban on all six fibers, and the Libby Amphibole (Winchite and Richterite).
- Regulation Advocate: ADAO is in constant contact with the EPA as they work to regulate asbestos, and when they don’t meet their responsibilities to protect public health, ADAO responds and takes them to Court. We have won three legal challenges in the past year, resulting in stronger, more comprehensive asbestos regulations.
We continue to fight against asbestos on every front, from seeking legislative action to Court challenges to meeting communities where they are through events and storytelling. Every single dollar you give supports this crucial work.
We hope you will choose to give to ADAO on Giving Tuesday.
Thank you in advance for your donation and your consistent support.
Together, change is possible.
Linda Reinstein
