This week is Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2018, which runs this year from April 1-7. One week until we come together as an asbestos community. One word. One week. One world.
“Prevention is the name of the game this week and always,” said Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), in a recent press release.
“While promising research continues, prevention remains the only cure for mesothelioma. When it comes to asbestos and mesothelioma, knowledge truly is power and this week is about empowering and equipping people to protect themselves while we work for protective legislation.”
Each day of Global Asbestos Awareness Week features an ambassador with some type of connection to asbestos exposure or asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. The ambassador schedule includes:
- Day One – April 1: World Health Organization and Elimination of Asbestos-Related Disease
- Ambassador: Mavis Nye, UK
- Day Two – April 2: Champions of Change
- Ambassador: John Panza, Ohio, US
- Day Three – April 3: Art-Based Advocacy Puts Asbestos Awareness in the Spotlight
- Ambassador: Daniel Pineda, Colombia
- Day Four – April 4: Advancing Prevention Through Digital Education: New “kNOw Asbestos” Website
- Ambassador: Heather Von St. James, Minnesota, US
- Day Five – April 5: International Workers’ Memorial Day – April 28
- Ambassador: Mike Mattmuller, Maryland, US
- Day Six – April 6: Global Action with Global Partners
- Ambassador: Sara Babin, France
- Day Seven – April 7: Candle Light Vigil to Honor and Remember Asbestos Victims Worldwide
- Remembering Lou Williams, Australia
The firm is proud to sponsor Day Five. As a seven-year mesothelioma survivor and firm client, Mike serves as an inspiration. He and his wife, Jessica, have been involved in the mesothelioma community for years and are strong advocates for asbestos awareness and prevention. He shared his mesothelioma survivor story on the firm blog last year about the power of ‘Staying Positive.’
What else is different with GAAW this year? Thanks to the efforts of advocates like Mike and ADAO, a new bill to ban asbestos was recently introduced.
“We are also extra thrilled this year to dedicate one day of 2018 GAAW to our newly introduced bill in the U.S. Senate, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2017, which would fully ban asbestos in the U.S. within 18 months,” said Reinstein.
What You Can Do to Get Involved
Stay Connected
Follow Simmons Hanly Conroy, as well as ADAO, on social media channels such as Facebook, where we regularly share asbestos-related materials to help educate the public on current news, government activity and stories related to asbestos and mesothelioma.
Share the PSA
During Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2018, ADAO will feature a Public Service Announcement video, titled “Asbestos: The Killer You Can’t See”. The 30-second animated clip captures the tragic reality of deadly asbestos.
Give Back
Donate to the cause through ADAO or the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), which both accept funds to use towards asbestos research and awareness.
Fight for Asbestos Victims
Or, sign a petition to get malicious asbestos bills, such as the recent “PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act” which actually harms asbestos victims, from becoming law.
You can make a difference. Join us for 2018 Global Asbestos Awareness Week this year to see how impactful spreading asbestos awareness can be.
