September 26th is recognized as Mesothelioma Awareness Day.This awareness day was established in 2004 by volunteers at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation).
Highlights of 2017 for the Mesothelioma Community
2017 has had some downfalls, such as Bayer’s and AstraZeneca’s clinical trial setbacks and the Regulatory Accountability Act. However, there have been great victories too, such as advancements in immunotherapies and successes in improving survival rates by using trimodality therapy.
Great efforts are still being made towards banning asbestos in the United States. Last year, the EPA included asbestos in the first set of chemicals to be reviewed under the new Toxic Substance Control Act. However, it could take the EPA until 2021 to come to an executive decision about it. Which means that Canada could beat the United States at banning asbestos. Canada has intentions to have it officially banned by 2018.
How You Can Help
Have you ever wondered how you can help support this cause? Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a researcher or have any medical expertise to do this.
Here at Mesothelioma Guide, we are committed to spreading awareness about this life-altering disease. Below we have compiled a list of ways that you can get involved on this nationally recognized day.
- 1
Educate Yourself
The only known cure for mesothelioma is prevention. You can take action by simply learning how this disease develops and how it impacts the health of individuals that are diagnosed.
The only known cause of mesothelioma is by inhaling and swallowing asbestos fibers. By learning what asbestos looks like and how it was once frequently used, you can identify and be aware of the dangers that are associated with it.
- 2
Donate
By donating to mesothelioma foundations, you are helping support funds that are used towards research and finding a cure for this disease.
2 nonprofit foundations that you can donate to are
- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
- Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
- 3
Follow and Share on Social Media
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, share your stories. You can share across social networks how this disease has impacted your lives.
You can also follow and support organizations such as the Meso Foundation and ADAO on your social media accounts. By sharing facts, infographics, and other posts from these organizations, you will help spread awareness about both mesothelioma and asbestos.
On the September 26th (today), ADAO will be hosting a #ENDMeso Twitter Chat. You can participate in this chat from 12 to 1 PM and it will be in both English and Spanish.
- 4
Participate in Events in Your Community
Many communities will host fundraisers and events that you can support. You can even try hosting a fundraiser of your own.
2 examples of events that occur to support mesothelioma awareness are
- Kayaking for Meso
- Miles for Meso
If these events aren’t in your area or they’ve already passed, you can always create an event that is similar and bring it to the heart of your own community.
- 5
Sign Petitions to Ban Asbestos
55 nations have officially banned asbestos, but the United States hasn’t. By signing petitions, your voice is heard in the fight against banning this carcinogen that causes mesothelioma.
Ban Asbestos in the US Now, Without Loopholes or Exceptions, is a petition that you can sign. It was created by the ADAO organization and its goal is to urge the EPA to ban asbestos now, instead of waiting any longer.
- 6
Wear Blue
As simple as this seems, the Meso Foundation encourages you to paint your town with the color blue.The goal of wearing blue is to visually display the concept of mesothelioma awareness spreading. The more blue, the more awareness is spread.
With that being said, on Mesothelioma Awareness Day we wear blue. Encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to do the same. If you don’t have blue in your wardrobe, you can always request a free mesothelioma awareness wristband from Mesothelioma Guide.
- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Mesothelioma Awareness Day Events and Activities. Retrieved from: https://www.curemeso.org/2013/08/20/mesothelioma-awareness-day-events-activities/. Accessed: 09/19/2017.
- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. WELCOME TO THE MESO FOUNDATION. Retrieved from: http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.duIWJfNQKiL8G/b.8598593/k.D685/Homepage.htm. Accessed: 09/19/2017.
- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY | MESOTHELIOMA APPLIED RESEARCH FOUNDATION. Retrieved from: http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.duIWJfNQKiL8G/b.8578113/k.7E50/Mesothelioma_Awareness_Day__Mesothelioma_Applied_Research_Foundation.htm. Accessed: 09/19/2017.
- International Association Of Heat and Frost Insulators And Allied Workers. Wear Blue for Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Retrieved from: http://www.insulators.org/blog/bid/78417/Wear-Blue-for-Mesothelioma-Awareness-Day. Accessed: 09/19/2017.
- Awareness Days. MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/mesothelioma-awareness-day-2017/. Accessed: 09/19/2017.
- Change.org. Ban Asbestos in the US Now, Without Loopholes or Exceptions. Retrieved from: https://www.change.org/p/u-s-environmental-protection-agency-ban-asbestos-in-the-us-now-without-loopholes-or-exceptions. Accessed: 09/19/2017.
- Kayaking 4 Meso. Kayaking 4 Meso. Retrieved from: http://www.kayaking4meso.org/. Accessed: 09/21/2017.
- Asbestos Nation. Asbestos bans around the world. Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-bans-around-the-world/. Accessed: 09/21/2017.
- Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. Join ADAO for a Special Mesothelioma Awareness Day #ENDMeso Twitter Chat on September 26 at 12 pm ET – in English and Spanish!. Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/44417. Accessed: 09/21/2017.
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