Posted on July 28, 2025

In July, I had the privilege of meeting with Ray Nye, the devoted husband of our dear friend and Mesothelioma Warrior, Mavis Nye. Over lunch, we shared memories, laughter, and reflections on Mavis’s extraordinary life and enduring legacy. I was honored to present Ray with our new book, “Shared Stories: How Asbestos Changed Our Lives Forever,” a collection that embodies the voices and resilience of our community.

Mavis, diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009 from secondary asbestos exposure, transformed her fight into a beacon of hope. She and Ray co-founded the Mavis Nye Foundation, supporting patients and families while tirelessly advocating for a global asbestos ban. Their united efforts have inspired countless advocates worldwide, including all of us at ADAO.

Ray’s unwavering support for Mavis throughout her 14-year battle was evident to everyone who knew them. Together, they proved how love, advocacy, and education can spark lasting change. Even after her passing in 2023, Mavis’s spirit continues to guide our mission. You can read her personal story, “I fight on for all our Meso Warriors past, present and future,” in the online collection.

As we shared stories, I was reminded of the power of narratives to connect us across oceans, generations, and circumstances. Through these shared stories, we honor those we’ve lost, support those still fighting, and fuel the work to end asbestos-related diseases.

Thank you, Ray, for continuing to carry Mavis’s light forward. Your courage and commitment ensure that her voice, and the voices of so many others, will never be forgotten.

A special thanks to Kirsty, whom I met at the Asbestonomy conference in Berlin, for coordinating our meet-up.

With love, Linda Reinstein