Posted on September 20, 2022

On behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), we would like to thank all of our attendees, speakers, honorees, presenters, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who participated in the 17th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference! This year’s hybrid conference, “Where Knowledge and Action Unite,” held September 16-17, marked 18 years of ADAO’s leadership in raising asbestos awareness, spearheading advocacy efforts, and fostering our united community. 

Our conference was live streamed for free around the world. There should never be a barrier to education, especially when it comes to life-saving public health information. Making the virtual conference free was a huge step towards health equity for all, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to help our global audience participate in this way. 

While we work to update you on the conference proceedings, the 117 page conference program is available to you online. We expect to have session videos edited and uploaded to YouTube by October 30th. 

This year’s conference brought together over 40 presenters ranging from medical, academic, and occupational experts, to asbestos victims, artists, and friends of ADAO from several countries. These presenters helped to spread awareness about asbestos, discuss recent academic and legislative news, disseminate educational/preventative resources, and work towards a ban on asbestos. 

For the second time, we were honored to host our Friday festival, “Asbestos: Art, Advocacy, and Action,” with special features from photojournalist Earl Dotter, filmmaker Inacio Teixeira, and many more. 

We are so proud and thankful for all of our experts and community members who made this amazing conference possible – your voices, stories, and commitment to an asbestos-free world inspire us daily and make this event possible. The spirit, energy, and love you brought were palpable, and the knowledge you shared is invaluable. This conference not only helps build community, but it helps save lives. Again, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of all of ADAO, thank you. And a special thanks to all of our 2021 Conference Sponsors: Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, Gold Sponsor The Gori Law Firm, and Silver Sponsors Bailey & Glasser LLP, and Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen who generously support our education, advocacy and community efforts.

Though the conference is over, September is still Mesothelioma Awareness Month. For the sixth year in a row, an American flag will fly atop the U.S. Capitol building on September 26th in honor and remembrance of asbestos victims for Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This day recognizes both the victims themselves, as well as their families, and it is an honor to have a flag flown to acknowledge all those who have suffered. The ADAO community is eternally grateful for the work and advocacy of United States Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and his tireless staff. It is because of his office’s  support that this monumental occasion has become a reality each year. 

Together, we are making change happen. 

Linda
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Founded in 2004, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is the largest independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure to eliminate asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy and community initiatives. The 2021 Conference Sponsors are: Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, Gold Sponsor The Gori Law Firm, and Silver Sponsors Bailey & Glasser, LLP and Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen.