Platinum Sponsorship Supports Critical Mission to Prevent Asbestos Exposure, Eliminate Asbestos-Related Diseases like Mesothelioma
Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the country’s leading mesothelioma law firms, is pleased to announce it has renewed its platinum sponsorship, donating $100,000 to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and its “Where Knowledge and Action Unite” conference. The firm is the longest consecutive sponsor of the conference.
The 12th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference will take place Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Washington, D.C. at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. More than 35 experts and asbestos victims from seven countries will present the latest advancement in disease prevention, global advocacy and treatment options for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
The main goal of the annual conference is to prevent exposure to asbestos and eliminate asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases like asbestosis and pleural plaques.
Asbestos is still found in America’s homes and offices. Asbestos expert, Dr. Barry Castleman states: “Major asbestos exposure continues today in building renovation, demolition and maintenance and automotive brake repair.”
Since 2005, the annual ADAO conference has brought together more than 300 speakers, experts, victims and lawmakers from 14 different countries, to present on asbestos education, advocacy and awareness.
“The Asbestos Disease Organization is extremely grateful for the support of Simmons Hanly Conroy and its sponsorship of our annual asbestos awareness conference,” said ADAO Co-founder and President Linda Reinstein. “The dedicated and generous support of Simmons Hanly Conroy allows us to continue doing critical work to spread awareness about the dangers of asbestos, advocate for a global asbestos ban and support the community of asbestos disease victims.”
Simmons Hanly Conroy has a long-standing commitment to supporting those impacted by asbestos-related diseases. Since 1999, the firm has donated over $20 million to cancer research, including millions of dollars to mesothelioma research institutions. This is the fourth year the firm has been a platinum sponsor of ADAO and the conference.
“Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are preventable,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy Chairman John Simmons. “Our asbestos attorneys have seen the devastating effects of a mesothelioma diagnosis on our clients and their families. We know that big businesses constantly used asbestos, choosing profits over people, in spite of knowing the dangers. ADAO’s work to prevent and eliminate mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers is critical, and our firm is honored to have a role in helping them with this goal.”
The conference begins Friday with a private tour, invitation only, of Washington, D.C. for patients and their families. Sessions begin Saturday morning and last throughout the day. Topics include medical advancements and current challenges; personal stories; prevention of exposure; and the global ban on asbestos-action. Before lunch, Paul Brodeur, an awarding-winning investigative journalist and author of Expendable Americans and Outrageous Misconduct: The Asbestos Industry on Trial, will give a keynote speech.
“We are delighted to have the award-winning journalist Paul Brodeur as our keynote speaker,” Reinstein said. “His work provides an objective look into the history of corporate knowledge of asbestos and shows they knew the dangers of asbestos, but remained silent. His keynote speech, along with many of our other decorated speakers, illustrates the on-going human cost of inaction.”
The day will end with an awards and recognition dinner to honor advocates of asbestos victims. The final conference event on Sunday morning is the Unity and Remembrance Brunch in memory of those who have passed away from asbestos-related diseases, with Keynote Speaker: Dr. Eudice Goldberg, pediatrician in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and co-founder of the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation (CMF), Canada.
“ADAO’s 2016 conference will recognize leaders in the media, health and safety community, and government agencies whose voices and actions have been critically important to efforts to end the man-made asbestos disaster,” Reinstein said. “This year’s esteemed list also includes many courageous volunteers who tirelessly give of their time to help build a global community of support and hope.”
To learn more about the conference, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
