Mesothelioma Patient & Advocate Launches Third Miles for Meso in Florida

One of the firm's friends, Larry Davis, recently hosted his very own Miles for Meso in Boca Raton, Florida. Larry is an avid runner who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma several years ago.

^{Larry Davis, race director and peritoneal mesothelioma patient after running the Miles for Meso course in Florida.}
 
Just like our events in Alton and St. Louis last Fall, this Miles for Meso event was a also 5K race and fun run/walk. Larry did an outstanding job. Not only did he have hundreds of people participate, but he also raised nearly $15,000 through his efforts! All of the funds raised are going to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
 
Larry was able to make some noise about his efforts, even landing a story in the Chicago Tribune, where he talks about his connection with running and staying healthy.

"I still believe that's helped me as much as anything," said Davis, who has a business making special glasses for athletes and pilots. "What you get out of running is more than cardiovascular. It's a whole mind-body connection. It helps build the immune system, and that's key in fighting any disease. It's not a cure, but it makes you stronger."

Hats off to Larry for his attitude and hard work. You can learn more about his Miles for Meso event at www.southfloridamilesformeso.com.

If you are interested in hosting a Miles for Meso event, you can make contact with the Miles for Meso team through the national Miles for Meso Web site.

In Memory of Our Friend and Colleague, Peggie Castruita

Today our hearts go out to the family of Peggie Castruita, our friend and colleague, who passed away on Friday.

Peggie joined the firm on June 27, 2001 and spent her years with us speaking with patients and families affected by mesothelioma on a regular basis. In fact, I'd venture to say that Peggie spoke with more of our clients than anyone. She cared very much about what she did, and I know our clients felt that.

Peggie, we'll miss you.

A Look Back on 2009

Working day-to-day, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. For that reason, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on all we’ve achieved this past year: the battles we’ve won, the projects we’ve spearheaded, and the goals we’ve reached.

There have been a number of factors that made 2009 an important year for our firm. In July, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary. Over the past decade, I’ve taken great pride in the work of our dedicated attorneys and staff who have committed themselves to serving the victims of mesothelioma. Through their efforts, we’ve reached thousands of patients and their families and helped fight for their rights as they’ve faced this preventable, life-ending illness.

As part of our 10-year anniversary celebration, we made the decision to change the name of our firm. As Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC, we will continue to build our legacy as one of the nation’s leading advocates for the victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. This new name reflects the strong leadership role taken by four of our partners, Perry Browder, Ted Gianaris, Michael Angelides, and John Barnerd. But since we know this new name is a mouthful, we’ll be more casually known as the Simmons firm.

Earlier in 2009 we had a further expansion of our partnership with the addition of six new partners. Each of these individuals continue to bring extensive experience in asbestos litigation to our clients. 

In 2009, we redoubled our ongoing efforts to raise awareness about mesothelioma and work to improve life within our community. As part of that effort, we sponsored the very first “Miles for Meso,” a 5K run/walk to raise money for mesothelioma research.  This inaugural event raised approximately $30,000 and drew nearly 500 participants.

I was also incredibly proud of the work done by Simmons employees outside of the workplace to help those in need. During the summer, the Simmons Employee Foundation (SEF) held a dinner auction which generated over $150,000 to support a variety of local charitable organizations. In November, the SEF held an annual food drive, collecting more than 50,000 pounds of food for Madison County pantries. Even in this climate of economic uncertainty, Simmons employees made generous donations that speak to their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

It’s this spirit of service and commitment that we’ll be taking into the new year. As we move into 2010, we’ll continue to fight for the rights of patients and their families. We’ll work to raise awareness about mesothelioma, generate funds for research, and call for legislation banning the use of asbestos. We are grateful for 2009, and look forward to the challenges of the coming year.

Have a safe and happy holiday. See you in the new year.

Simmons Employee Foundation Gives 50,000 Pounds of Food Goes to Madison County Food Pantries

On Friday the Simmons firm, through the efforts of the Simmons Employee Foundation, completed its annual food drive, raising over 50,000 pounds of food for Madison County food pantries. Today we're delivering that food to four different shelters throughout the county: 

Crisis Food Center in Alton
Collinsville Area Ministerial Association
Community Care Center in Granite City
Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills

Thank you to our employees that opened their hearts and wallets to give back. Thank you to those who worked up a sweat to load the trucks. And thank you to all of these food pantries for the critical, life changing work you do.

I can't think of a more satisfying way to start the week of Thanksgiving. 

Miles for Meso on KSDK NewsChannel 5 St. Louis with Jennifer Blome

Earlier today Jennifer Blome of NewsChannel 5, KSDK, the St. Louis NBC affiliate, spoke with Julie Gundlach about mesothelioma awareness and the Miles for Meso 5K runs/walks this weekend in Alton, Illinois, and in St. Louis in October.  Julie is a St. Louis resident who has been living with peritoneal mesothelioma since she was diagnosed at age 35 three years ago and has been supporting the Alton event and spearheading the St. Louis effort. You can see the conversation here.

Julie did an excellent job articulating the critical need for mesothelioma research, the dangers of asbestos exposure, and how events like Miles for Meso can help bring the necessary awareness.

It's exciting to see Miles for Meso come to life. But it's even more exciting to see the event help generate the attention mesothelioma deserves. The Simmons firm has represented thousands of families across the country affected by mesothelioma. We've seen the devestation it causes firsthand. This is why we've committed ourselves to leading the fight for the legal rights of victims. It's why we support mesothelioma research throughout the country. 

If you haven't registered for Miles for Meso yet, there's still time. I'd encourage you to participate in both the Alton race and the St. Louis race (we've had over 400 register for Alton alone!). One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit mesothelioma research.

See you on race day.

Fighting Mesothelioma One Step at a Time

I’m pleased to announce that the Simmons law firm will sponsor the inaugural Miles for Meso, a 5K run/walk, in historic Alton, Ill., on September 26, 2009, beginning at 9 a.m. Money raised benefits the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to funding critical research for better treatment options and, hopefully, to find a cure.

The need for mesothelioma education, awareness, and research has never been more urgent. Mesothelioma is a rare but devastating cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Our firm is committed to funding research and building awareness about the disease so that we can assist in providing the needed critical help for families throughout Illinois, Missouri, and the entire country.

We hope you can join us, whether you’re competing for cash prizes, simply enjoying the outdoors, or showing your support for mesothelioma awareness. Participants will receive a hi-tech, long sleeve running shirt. The top three finishers in the men’s and women’s categories will receive cash prized of $500 (first place), $200 (second place), and $100 (third place). There will also be five $100 cash prize drawings.

Along with generating awareness of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, the Simmons firm’s sponsorship includes matching and donating all entry fees to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to funding critical research for better treatment options and, ultimately, to find a cure for mesothelioma.

Miles for Meso participants will also have the opportunity to sign a petition to support a movement at the federal level to declare September 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Earning national recognition of September 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an important step in the ongoing battle against the cancer. We look forward to the support of our Metro area runners, walkers, and friends to help make a difference as they participate in a great event.

A second Miles for Meso event will be held October 11 in University City and spearheaded by mesothelioma awareness advocate Julie Gundlach.

Going forward, we hope that we can continue this race in our community and expand it to others. As we generate awareness of mesothelioma, we gain momentum in raising funds, developing better treatments, and working even harder to find a cure.

Click here to register for the event.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

In reading the August 6 edition of The Alton Telegraph, I came across an article that tells the very personal story of Christina Benoit, a recipient of a zero interest loan and a house built by the Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity, Wood River Chapter. The story stated that the house will be “funded by the Simmons law firm . . .”

Collectively, our partners, attorneys, and employees constitute the Simmons law firm. So it’s important that I recognize the Simmons Employee Foundation, which recently held a dinner auction that generated over $150,000. Our employees, the people who deserve the credit for making a positive impact each year on the lives of people in our communities through support like this, donated $75,000 to Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity and $75,000 to the National Alliance of Mental Illness in Madison County.

In five years, the Simmons Employee Foundation has raised over $500,000. It is the result of the employees’ creativity and heartfelt commitment to their communities and those in need. And, I’m proud to say, that even in this economy, the employees succeeded in making the largest donation the Wood River chapter has ever received.

The Simmons firm indeed continues to fight for clients inside and outside of the courtroom, and we have provided financial support in the national fight against mesothelioma and other cancers. That’s part of our mission and who we are as a firm.

Individually, our employees – the people who live in neighborhoods near where they work – are as resolute in the commitment to helping others.

Along with Habitat for Humanity and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Simmons Employee Foundation has provided support to such organizations as: the American Lung Association, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Phoenix Crisis Center, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the Beverly Farm Foundation, the United Way Community Christmas Program, ALIVE (Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments), the American Heart Association, the Metro East Humane Society, the Boys and Girls Club of Bethalto, and B.U.R.T. (Bubblemasters Underwater Rescue Team)

I’d like to applaud our employees for the great work they do every year to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Christina Benoit’s new home says a lot about the impact the efforts of our employees can make.

Well done, ladies and gentlemen.