Stand Up 2 Cancer broadcast provides opportunity to increase awareness about mesothelioma

On Sept. 10, all the major television networks and several other broadcasters will once again air the 3-hour marathon Stand Up 2 Cancer. When SU2C aired in 2008, the program helped raise more than $100 million for cancer research spearheaded by The American Association for Cancer Research.  This year the program, interspersed with celebrity performances, will show viewers how five “Dream Teams” comprised of 13 scientists from across several disciplines are utilizing those dollars to extend cancer patients’ lives and to come closer to finding a cure.

The easy thing to do on this night would be to change the channel. I encourage you not to. Instead, I encourage you to listen because chances are you know someone whose life has been impacted by cancer. Chances are you’ve read news articles detailing how a person battled not only the physical, but the emotion and spiritual pain caused by a cancer diagnosis and won. Chances are you’ve told your kids not to smoke because you want to spare them that pain. Chances are you know where to find the next Relay for Life race in your community.

You know all of this. Everyone has heard of the super star cancers like breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, but what about those others with names so long you can’t remember how to pronounce? No one really knows about these orphan cancers like mesothelioma. Sometimes, not even your doctor.

Stand Up 2 Cancer provides an opportunity to have that conversation.

Every day I hear stories about people whose doctors didn’t know about mesothelioma. The diagnosis comes back and the patient’s doctor tells them to get their affairs in order because they only have six months to live.

If doctors don’t even know, how are you supposed to know that 3,000 new people are diagnosed with meso every year?  How are you supposed to know that asbestos, which causes meso, is still legal in the United States?  That the United States and Canada are the only two Western countries who have not taken significant efforts to ban asbestos? How are you supposed to know the research being done for other cancers helps meso and vice versa?

How are you supposed to know there’s hope for a cure and not just the superstar cancers like breast cancer, but for the orphan cancers like meso as well? Stand Up 2 Cancer, and other shows like it, is how you can know because it spotlights the work being done for all cancers so that someday there won’t be a need for us to know.  

Simmons Firm Employees “Get the Lead Out” in Support of a Mesothelioma Cure

It was cold on the morning of March 27, 2010, but that didn’t stop Gregg Kirkland and attorney Melissa Schopfer from the Simmons law firm from taking the street to fight for a cure for mesothelioma.

As participants in the 2010 “Get the Lead Out” 5K/10K run and 1 mile walk, Gregg and Melissa joined 600 others in raising more than $15,000 for mesothelioma research. The fundraiser was organized by The Norm Kulig 2Young2Go Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing the awareness of environmental related causes of cancer and furthering the scientific research of such cancers.

At the Simmons firm, we share these goals, which is why the firm served as a sponsor for the event. Like our own event, Miles for Meso, the Get the Lead Out 5K/10K not only raises much needed funding for mesothelioma research; it also attracts public attention to the serious problem of asbestos contamination and the danger it poses.

We’re extremely pleased Simmons employees were able to participate. Congratulations to the Foundation on a race well done!

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.