This weekend Perry Browder, myself and other attorneys and staff with the Firm will attend the 9th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference in Washington, D.C. We are proud not only to once again be a platinum sponsor of the event, but also to be ADAO’s longest cumulative supporter.
The ADAO Conference plays an important role in bringing patients of asbestos-related diseases and their caregivers together with advocates, medical experts and occupational experts. Events like this are critical in providing up-to-date information and in spreading awareness about the global public health crisis caused by asbestos.
This year’s keynote speakers promise to be some of the best yet.
Captain Aubrey K. Miller, M.D., M.P.H., will present a luncheon keynote speech entitled “Asbestos in the Environment and Workplace: Public Health Issues and Concerns.” Miller is currently the Senior Medical Advisor for the Office of the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institutes of Health.
I’ve heard Dr. Miller present in previous years on non-occupational asbestos exposures. He’s very knowledgeable on the topic of environmental health issues, having published several papers, and his passion for understanding the public health impacts of asbestos is well-respected in the ADAO community and beyond.
He also has expertise in disaster response and emerging threats such as Hurricane Sandy and the World Trade Center Response. Over the past few years, the dangers of asbestos exposure have received increased
attention when natural disasters occur. It’s imperative that the public understands the dangerous present in older homes so they can take necessary precautions against toxic exposures that can occur during disaster scenarios.
I’m looking forward to again hearing Dr. Miller speak on the public health issues and concerns related to asbestos.
The keynote speaker for the Unity Remembrance Brunch is an event that inspires and offers encouragement; this year will be no different. Australian asbestos advocate Karen Banton will share how she has continued the work of her late husband Bernie Banton who lost his battle to mesothelioma in 2007. Like many asbestos patients who I know, Bernie did not go down without a fight.
From the early 2000s until 2007, Bernie was widely recognized as the public face of the legal and political campaign fought in Australia. Bernie had pleural plaques and asbestosis before his mesothelioma diagnosis and worked to achieve a binding agreement with James Hardie Industries for a long-term compensation fund to help sufferers of asbestos-related diseases who were exposed to the company’s asbestos-containing products.
In 2009, Karen, along with others, founded the Bernie Banton Foundation with a mission to provide support and information to people impacted by asbestos-related diseases and to promote awareness of the dangerous of asbestos exposure. Karen will also be honored with ADAO’s 2013 Tribute of Inspiration Award.
Read More about Karen’s Story on the ADAO Blog >>>
Linda Reinstein, president of ADAO, and volunteers have once again secured a stellar line up of speakers for this year’s conference. Since the ADAO Conference started nine years ago, it has continually provided in-depth content unavailable elsewhere.
Whether you are a trial lawyer, activist, medical practitioner or have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, this conference has something for everyone.
