It’s seldom discussed, but one chief factor in asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma is military service. Until its ban in the 1970s, asbestos was used throughout the military installations and ships. In fact, one-third of those who die from the deadly cancer mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos on the ships and in the shipyards of the U.S. Navy.

Thankfully, the Department of Defense (DoD) has committed itself to doing something about this crisis. In 2008, awarded its first-ever grant for research on mesothelioma, a $2.4 million award to Courtney Broaddus, M.D., for her work on macrophage-induced inflammation in mesothelioma. The grant was awarded as the result of a directive by the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fund research in mesothelioma.

Since that first award, the DoD has stepped up its efforts. In 2009, the Department awarded several million dollars in funding to three important research projects that focus on investigating the early detection of mesothelioma, identifying new therapeutic targets, and implementing a clinical trial on new therapy.

This new funding commitment is admirable, but it only begins to redress the neglect of mesothelioma research by the U.S. government. The funding for research on mesothelioma lags far behind that of other cancers. In fact, from 2004 to 2007, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invested less than $6 million on mesothelioma research—only one-tenth of 1 percent of its annual budget.

We hope that these new funding initiatives from the DoD signal an era of increased participation in mesothelioma funding and research by the U.S. government. Considering the sacrifice our veterans make, we owe it to them to fight for a cure for this deadly disease. 

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.

Next spring our friends at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization will host their sixth annual conference in Chicago. I spoke with Linda Reinstein, Executive Director for ADAO, and she told me this year's program promises to be the strongest conference to date. The speaker list will feature renowned asbestos and mesothelioma experts such as Dr. Hedy Kindler. No doubt members of the Simmons firm will be in attendance to show support. Details on how you can register are included below. 

Register for the 6th Annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference

April 9 - 11, 2010

Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

Global Mission: Prevent, Detect and Treat Asbestos-Related Diseases

"Science and Technology Proves Asbestos is a Carcinogen"

This conference is made possible with the support and collaborative efforts of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS).

Registration Fee:   

Professionals: $300

Students/Patients/Caregivers: $150

Sunday Remembrance Brunch: $25 with conference registration/$50 without conference registration

Agenda Session Topics Include

• Preventing Asbestos Exposure
• Detecting and Treating Asbestos-Related Diseases
• Asbestos Victim and Family Resources and Support
• Global Advocacy

Conference Speakers

Brad Black, MD

Barry Castleman, ScD

Jeff Camplin, CSP, CPEA

Sean Fitzgerald, PG

Arthur Frank, MD, PhD

Patrick Gerkin, PhD

Fernanda Giannasi, ABREA

Michael Harbut, MD, MPH, FCCP

Tanis Hernandez, LCSW

Laurie Kazan-Allen, IBAS

Hedy Lee Kindler, MD

Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH

Terry Lynch, Int'l Vice President, Insulators Union

Pat Martin, Canadian Parliament Member

Linda Reinstein, ADAO

Kimberly Rowse, RN

Jordan Summers, Musician

James Webber, PhD

Jordan Zevon, ADAO National Spokesperson and Musician 

ADAO Asbestos Awareness Day Honorees

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin will be presented with the Tribute of Hope Award for his steadfast commitment and determination to ban asbestos.

The Center for Asbestos Related Disease Center (CARD) will receive the Tribute of Unity Award for their work to unite, educate and empower asbestos victims and medical community.

Dr. Hedy Kindler will be recognized with Dr. Irving Selikoff Lifetime Acheivement Award in honor of Dr. Selikoff's dedicated research into the social and medical impact asbestos has had on humankind.

Fernanda Giannasai will be presented with teh Tribute of Inspiration Award for being a bridge of hope and strength to victims of asbestos exposure in India and worldwide.

Warren Zevon "Keep me in Your Heart" Memorial Award - TBA

June Breit, honored posthumously, The Alan Reinstein Memorial Award for her commitment to advocacy to eradicate mesothelioma and offer support to patients and their families. 

Conference Schedule

Friday, April 9th

NEW! Private Gathering for Family, Patients, & Caregivers Only

5-6 p.m.

Meet and Greet  with Jordan Zevon

7-9pm

Saturday, April 10th

Conference

8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 11th

Remembrance Brunch

9:30-11:30am

On Sunday ADAO will light five candles at 10:30 a.m. CST for victims throughout and around the world.

Earlier this year the family of Wendell Mason, who died of mesothelioma, was featured on the local NBC station in Kansas City about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos exposure in the home.  Last week the Masons returned to the news in an article titled "Confronting the Needless Tragedy of Mesothelioma." The article was by Thomas Bogdon and appeared on the online news site KCTribune.com.

The good news, as cited in the article, is that the city of Olathe, Kansas, proclaimed September 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day, thanks in part to the work of Elizabeth Mason and her two grown daughters and grown son. This is an important achievement, and I applaud the Masons for their dedication to building awareness.

The bad news, as I told Mr. Bogdon when he interviewed me for this article, is that asbestos - a carcinogen known to cause mesothelioma - continues to be imported into the U.S. The need for research and better treatment options continues to remain urgent and dire for the thousands of families currently fighting against the disease.

I applaud Mr. Bogdon for covering this difficult subject in such a thoughtful and compassionate manner. The Masons are a courageous family, and it's wonderful to see their hard work pay off.  

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.

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.

I'm amazed.  In just 32 days, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's cause on Facebook reached over 18,000 people and raised $22,641 for mesothelioma research. All in the name of a four year-old little girl named Zaida from Colorado. I'm so pleased that our firm could be a sponsor and play a role in building awareness. Thank you to everyone who joined and participated!