ADAO president Linda Reinstein hugs Shareholder Perry Browder after he announces the
charity will be the beneficiary of the Alton Miles for Meso 5k race on Sept. 28 in Alton, Illinois.
11th Annual Race Returns Sept. 28 to Simmons Hanly Conroy’s National Headquarters in Alton, Illinois
ALTON, Ill. – Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the leading national asbestos and mesothelioma law firms, is proud to announce the 11th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run will benefit the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest independent asbestos victims’ organization in the United States.
Shareholder Perry Browder made the official announcement over the weekend at ADAO’s 15th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference in Washington, D.C.
“Everyone in the mesothelioma and asbestos community – from the meso warriors and their family members to the union members, advocacy groups, lawyers and experts in the courtroom – is making a difference in the fight against asbestos,” he said during the announcement. “We’re proud to announce that Simmons Hanly Conroy will give back to the asbestos community by donating funds raised at the 2019 Alton Miles for Meso race to ADAO.”
Linda Reinstein and the late Doug Larkin co-founded ADAO in 2004 after their loved ones were diagnosed with mesothelioma. They knew thousands of others were going through what they and their families were experiencing and felt compelled to act. Linda’s husband, Alan, was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2003. After almost three years of battling mesothelioma and undergoing numerous radical surgeries and chemotherapy, Alan passed away in May 2006. Since then, Linda has continued to advocate on behalf of mesothelioma warriors, survivors and their families, not afraid to take the fight directly to lawmakers. The group’s most recent work has involved getting the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019 introduced in both the House and Senate. If passed, the bill would allow for a total and complete ban of asbestos within a year and address the continuing problem of legacy asbestos.
“We are surprised and thrilled to once again be the beneficiaries of the Alton Miles for Meso race,” said Reinstein. “Our fight to ban asbestos has never been tougher or more important. Each year, nearly 40,000 Americans die from preventable asbestos-caused diseases. We will be sharing educational and advocacy materials at the race on how to identify asbestos, manage the health risk, and provide updates about our progress toward federal action to ban asbestos.”
Established in 2009 by Simmons Hanly Conroy, the Miles for Meso 5K has drawn thousands of people to the Riverbend area for to support those affected by mesothelioma. Simmons, a leading nationwide law firm that represents mesothelioma victims and their families, joins forces with Metro Tri Club of Edwardsville, Illinois, to host and produce the event every year. Since its inception, the race has raised more than $425,000.
“Our firm works daily to bring justice to those diagnosed with mesothelioma,” said Chairman John Simmons. “ADAO understands the need to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos, help families who are fighting, and prevent future suffering. We are proud to work with them to further the cause.”
This year’s race will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Simmons Hanly Conroy, located at One Court Street in Alton – across from Marquette High School. Early registration will open in July for $25 and include a long-sleeved, moisture-wicking shirt.
Corporate sponsorships for Miles for Meso are also available through the end of August. Last year, the event was generously sponsored by the following Diamond Sponsors: Stratos Legal, Impact Strategies, First Mid Illinois Bank, BDO (Stone Carlie) and Sokolove Law; and Platinum Sponsors: Jenner & Block, The Bridge Church, Lockton Companies, Acropolis Technology Group and PohlmanUSA Court Reporting.
To learn more visit www.milesformeso.org.
About Miles for Meso
Miles for Meso is an initiative of the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation that was established in 2009 to raise funds and awareness for mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Miles for Meso races have been held across the country from Virginia to Florida to Washington State and beyond. Together, Miles for Meso events have raised more than $700,000 to benefit mesothelioma research and awareness.
