A Letter from Linda Reinstein, President & Co-Founder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Every September, something extraordinary happens in Alton, Illinois. As I lace up my shoes and pin my bib number to my shirt, I’m not just preparing to participate in another Miles for Meso 5K race, but joining a movement that has transformed my understanding of what it means to turn tragedy into triumph, grief into action, and individual pain into collective power.
The Miles for Meso race means everything to me because it represents the very essence of what we can accomplish when we refuse to let preventable diseases claim lives through silence and inaction. This isn’t just about crossing a finish line; it’s about crossing the threshold from victim to warrior.
When I think about prevention, I’m reminded that mesothelioma is entirely preventable. Every step I take during this event is a step toward a future where families won’t have to endure what so many of us have experienced. The funds we raise don’t just support research; they support education campaigns that reach into workplaces, schools, and communities where people might still unknowingly be exposed to asbestos.
The advocacy component of Miles for Meso has shown me that our voices, when united, can move mountains, and even legislators. Through this event, I’ve learned that advocacy isn’t just about policy papers and congressional hearings; it’s about putting human faces on statistics, sharing our stories with courage, and demanding that our representatives prioritize public health over corporate interests.
But perhaps most importantly, Miles for Meso has taught me about the incredible power of community. This race brings together an extraordinary group of warriors, survivors who defy even the most insurmountable odds, families who have lost loved ones but refuse to lose hope, advocates who have never been personally affected but choose to stand with us anyway, and medical professionals who dedicate their careers to fighting this disease. We are not just participants in a race; we are members of a family forged by shared purpose and mutual support.
Instead of being consumed by the unfairness of it all, our community has become educators, fundraisers, and fierce advocates for change. We’ve learned that every conversation about asbestos dangers, every dollar raised for research, and every legislative victory brings us closer to our ultimate goal: a world where no one else has to join our ranks.
As I prepare for the 17th Annual Miles for Meso race on September 20, 2025, I’m filled with both determination and hope. Since 2009, our collective efforts have raised nearly $1 million for mesothelioma research and advocacy. Last year alone, we raised $27,500 and brought together more than 1,000 participants. These numbers represent more than fundraising success. They represent lives that may be saved, families that may be spared, and a future that looks brighter because we refused to give up. Every mile we run together is a mile toward victory.
Join us on September 20, 2025 in Alton, Illinois, or participate virtually. Together, we are stronger.
