It's good to give green: SEF presents $210k to area charities

In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “when I do good, I feel good” and recently I couldn’t feel anything but good about the support the Simmons Employee Foundation provides to area charities. 

Simmons Employee Foundation president David Bamper and I had the honor of presenting two checks each for $105,000 to the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton and The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center in Wood River. The money was raised during the foundation’s 4^th Annual Dinner Auction this past spring.

 Gary Osborne, executive director of ARC, told me his organization plans to use part of the donation to buy a new, 14-passenger van. 

Steven Roach, executive director of Catholic Charities, the umbrella organization of the Catholic Children’s Home, said they expect to put the money toward renovating and updating their 87-year-old building.

The work these two organizations do to provide safe environments for children, diagnosed with developmental disabilities or not, is undeniably important. They’re making our community a better place to live.

Learn more about these two charities and the dinner auction itself by reading my previous post.

Meso Foundation Symposium reminds me why I am a trial attorney

It never gets any easier. Every year I make my way to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's annual symposium, and every year I'm reminded of why I do what I do.

Each year, for three days, the mesothelioma community gathers in Washington D.C. to exchange medical and scientific updates, network with other allies in the fight to cure meso, and visit The Hill to ask our congressmen and women to allocate funds for mesothelioma research.

Friday evening, they have a tribute ceremony with a huge display of names etched on to a tribute wall. Our firm has a lot of names on that wall. I, personally, have represented a lot of names on that wall. Too many.

So why does this annual pilgrimage relate to being a trial attorney? Because we all play a part in this small but special community, and I know my role well. My job is to fight for the rights of individuals and families who have been wronged through no fault of their own. That's my contribution. And nothing inspires me more to keep fighting on their behalf than to have a good, hard look at that wall.

When you stand in a room with 300 people who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, it puts things into perspective. Like how academia and the general public has labeled mesothelioma an “orphan” of cancers. When you consider us separately – the doctors, the victims, and the anti-stereotypical lawyers – maybe we are orphans, in a sense. Together, though, nothing could be further from the truth. We are united by this disease, and it feels very present and all too personal.

The hardest part about this tribute ceremony is that wall shouldn’t exist. Mesothelioma, which is caused by asbestos exposure, is a man made epidemic. Asbestos, ironically called the “miracle mineral” was heavily used from the 1930s through the 1970s in the manufacturing, shipping and construction industries. According to the most recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004, approximately 2,700 Americans die annually from mesothelioma, and experts expect that number to continue increasing through 2025.

Companies who made asbestos knew the dangers, but ignored them. Instead they choose to barter their employees and their families’ lives for a bottom line. Because it takes between 10 and 50 years from the time of exposure to develop a meso diagnosis, the full ramifications of asbestos exposure remain hidden until it is too late. Meanwhile, the general public remains unaware that products being used in 2010 – like some automobile parts, certain construction materials and pipe insulation – still contain asbestos.

One fact is certain. The dangers of asbestos exposure were known as long ago as the 1950s, and we still don't have a full ban, and we definitely don't have enough support for research.

The Meso Foundation, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, provides a gathering place for those who have been impacted by mesothelioma. Those who have been diagnosed, families who’ve lost loved ones, lawyers who won’t tolerate injustice, and doctors who are passionate about conquering what medical experts consider the most aggressive cancer of all cancers.

MARF has helped raise awareness about these companies and the dangers of asbestos exposure. In addition, they’ve awarded 67 peer-reviewed grants for over $6.4 million. Those grants have resulted in 32 scientific publications credits, including the world’s most prestigious medical journal, The New England Journal of Medicine.

No one has done more to keep peoples’ names off that wall than MARF, and we at the Simmons firm are proud to be their top supporter. We congratulate them for all the hard work they’ve done over the years to support the meso community. 

4th Annual SEF Dinner Auction Raises over $200k for Local Charities

Last Thursday night was a very special night for the Simmons Employee Foundation. We were able to help two local charities whose work improves the quality of life for so many children and families in the Madison County area.

I am writing to you, not as a partner, but as a board member of SEF.  I am humbled and thrilled to announce that the fourth annual SEF dinner auction raised over $200,000 for the Catholic Children's Home and The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center. The money could not be going to a better cause.

These two organizations provide a safe environment where individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities can learn and grow, and hopefully lead relatively normal lives. The Catholic Children’s Home also provides homes for troubled, abandoned, or neglected youth. Both charities will equally split the proceeds.

Of course, such a huge undertaking could not be done without help from our dedicated and generous employees. To quote John Simmons from the firm’s official annoucement, “It is inspiring that so many of our employees and friends, their families and other local businesses have given so generously.”

Thank you to everyone who made the dinner auction, which was attended by about 500 people, such a spectacular and elegant event.

One of the more special moments of the night was when a video was played by ARC. It’s inserted below. Watch it, and you’ll understand why SEF members have done all they can to support organizations like these.

SEF Hosts 5th Annual Golf Tournament for Children with Cancer

First things first, I write this post from my position as a board member of the Simmons Employee Foundation (SEF), not as partner of Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC. It has been my privilege to serve the SEF, a truly respected organization in our community made up of caring, charitable, dedicated, and hard-working employees of the Simmons firm.

The firm’s leadership has recently recognized in this space the extraordinary efforts of the SEF, which has raised over one-half million dollars in just a handful of years. The recognition is much appreciated, as is the complete support the firm provides the employees in their philanthropic endeavors.

Again, as an SEF board member, I’m happy to announce that the organization continues to support those in need.

On Friday, September 18, the SEF will host its fifth annual golf tournament at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, Ill. Foursomes are available for four-hundred dollars, single registrations for $100. The entry fee includes greens fee, cart rental, lunch or dinner, soda and beer on the course, and a complimentary gift. There are cash prizes for first- and second-place teams in three flights.

Now, bear with me. According to former American journalist and writer Westbrook Pegler, “Golf is the most useless outdoor game ever devised to waste the time and try the spirit of man.”

With apologies to Mr. Pegler, the SEF’s fifth annual golf tournament can, in fact, be the most useful outdoor activity you can participate in on Friday, September 18, and a true reflection of the spirit each of us bring as we reach out to help the children of H.I.S. K.I.D.S.

This event is for the children and families affected by childhood cancer. H.I.S. K.I.D.S. serves approximately 2,000 seriously ill children and family members each year from its locations in Highland, Ill., and Florida. All services are provided at no charge and without regard to race, creed, color, or financial ability.

I applaud SEF for identifying such a worthy organization. And I invite you to participate in and/or take advantage of sponsorship opportunities. One hundred percent of all net proceeds will benefit H.I.S. K.I.D.S.

I hope to see you on the course.

For more information, contact Lori Smith at 618-259-6102 or Yvette Scott at 618-259-6517. 

Remembering My Friend, 10-Year Mesothelioma Survivor Craig Kozicki

My heart is heavy. Last Wednesday my friend Craig Kozicki ended his 10-year battle against mesothelioma, leaving behind his dedicated wife and daughter, Shelly and Emily. Craig was a 10-year survivor of the disease -- a miracle story and symbol of hope among mesothelioma patients throughout the country. He was only 53.

Craig's case was one of the first mesothelioma cases I ever worked on as a young attorney just starting out here at the Simmons firm. He was Jeff Cooper's client. It was through Jeff that I got to know Craig and his family. Over the years, the Kozickis have become much more than clients -- they have become part of the family here at the Simmons firm.   

When I think of Craig, I think of so many different things. I think about his love for sports and how much I always enjoyed our debates about the Illinois and Missouri college rivalries. His dedication to his wife and daughter. I think of the kind of man he was and the way he always fought and didn't complain. How he kept working as long as he could and kept living his life throughout the numerous chemotherapy treatments and painful surgeries.  

In the search for a cure for mesothelioma and the fight to ban asbestos, Craig and Shelly are truly a special couple. They have been an inspiration to me, to everyone at the Simmons firm, and to countless families across the country. Time and time again, we have clients tell us about the impact Craig and Shelly have had on their lives.  

Earlier this week it was announced that the Kozickis received the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's annual "Volunteer of the Year" award. It's a testament to both Craig and Shelly. Since Craig was diagnosed at age 42, Shelly has been standing by his side, and she's somehow always found time to help other people struggling with the cancer. She's been a sounding board and a voice for so many and has never asked for anything in return. Truly a remarkable lady.  

I have to say -- I wasn't sure if I should write this at all. How do you adequately pay tribute to someone with so much dignity and strength? There are no words to describe how much his success in fighting off this horrible cancer for so long has meant to myself and so many others.  

But then it hit me. What better way to honor and remember Craig than to try and encourage others to take up his cause? So that's what I'm doing. I'm encouraging anyone reading this to donate to the Meso Foundation in Craig's name. I think he'd like that.

Here's the link for contributing to the Meso Foundation's "Craig Kozicki Grant Fund" to find a cure for mesothelioma (make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the page).  

And if you don't want to give online, mail in a check to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, PO Box 91840 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-1840. Just make sure you write "Craig Kozicki" in the memo line.  

Goodbye Craig. You will be missed dearly. It was an honor to represent you. But the greatest honor was getting to know you at all.