Most people know Merlin Olsen either as a football star or a beloved actor whose stint on the top-rated TV show Little House on the Prairie made him a household name. But most people don’t know that Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure, in 2009 and passed soon after being diagnosed.

Though he died unnecessarily at the age of 69, Olsen left behind an unforgettable legacy that touched the lives of countless people. While nothing could ever fill the void left by Olsen’s death, it has helped raise awareness about the very serious and very real health risks of asbestos, the impact of which can still be felt today.

And, most importantly, mesothelioma doesn’t discriminate – it can strike anyone.  The facts about asbestos are irrefutable.  The World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, United States Environmental Agency, and Surgeon General all agree: asbestos is a human carcinogen and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Read more about the late Merlin Olsen in Leigh Steinberg’s great article, “A Giant Legacy: Merlin Olsen died at the age of 69. Could his death have been prevented?”

In remembrance,

Linda Reinstein, Mesothelioma Widow and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

Tweets to share:

@SteinbergSports great article about Merlin Olsen, #mesothelioma, and #asbestos! http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/A-giant-legacy.html

Merlin Olsen, Beloved Actor and Football Legend, Proves that #Mesothelioma Can Strike Anyone https://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/6691 #asbestos #safety