ADAO to Address OSHA on the Need to Ban Asbestos Tomorrow Morning, Available Via Live Webcast

Our friends at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization continue to work hard on behalf of victims of asbestos-related diseases. Linda Reinstein, Executive Director, will address OSHA tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. EST about the need to support a comprehensive ban on asbestos. We hope you're able to watch.

 From the ADAO Web site:

On behalf of the thousands of victims and families affected by asbestos, Linda Reinstein, ADAO Co-Founder will present on Thursday, March 4th at 9:00 am (Eastern) at “OSHA Listens” about the urgency and importance of a complete ban of asbestos at this is truly a unique opportunity. Since we cannot all be in DC, I hope you’ll take advantage of the live webcast that OSHA will broadcast. It will be streamed live all day on March 4th: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/osha-listens.html.

 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Looking Back on 10 Years of Client Service

July 20th marks the 10 year anniversary of the day we first opened our doors.

It’s been said that the achievements of an organization are the direct results of the combined efforts of each contributing individual. As our firm nears its 10th anniversary, I want to acknowledge our incredible family of attorneys and employees. Together, they have provided and continue to provide tremendous value to our clients, and to each other.

When this firm started with just eight of us, we made a promise to give each client and their family the attention, care, and respect they deserved. It was a promise that we believed would not only make a meaningful difference but also set us apart. It’s a promise we still live today, and one that has, in large part, led us to do good work for thousands of families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos across the U.S.
 
The goal was never to be the biggest. We’re honored to have come this far. It’s a testament to charter employees like Karen Bonnell, Ann Jackson, and Roger Lewis; to all of our partners; and to each skilled attorney and employee making a difference.

I thank them for their hard work, dedication, dogged determination, faith, and endurance. Their efforts have paid the price for the success of our firm.

We will take time to reflect on the last 10 years. But we will also take this opportunity to reaffirm our long-term commitment to victims’ rights and our promise to generate awareness about mesothelioma and the need to raise funds for better care and, ultimately, a cure, and to advocate the ban of asbestos in the United States.

More than anything, I want to express my gratitude for the trust of thousands of clients and their families across the country. From the courtroom to the living room to the hospital room, they allowed us into their lives. That is the ultimate compliment. They are, and will always remain, part of our family.