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Action Mesothelioma Day 2009
Action Mesothelioma Day was on Friday 27th February 2009. The aim of Action Mesothelioma Day is to raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. Hundreds of mesothelioma victims and their families gathered in cities across the UK to mark Action Mesothelioma Day. London - On Wednesday 25th February the British Lung Foundation held a parliamentary reception to highlight the Action Mesothelioma 2009 campaign to Members of Parliament. The reception was hosted by Michael Clapham MP and speakers included Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, Chris Knighton, founder of the Mick Knighton Research Fund which raises money to fund British Lung Foundation research into the disease and Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice MP. Fifty-two MPs attended and had the opportunity to speak with health professionals and patients affected by the disease and to sign an Early Day Motion calling for improved treatment and care for those affected by mesothelioma. A number of issues were discussed at the reception. These included the results of a survey of mesothelioma patients and their carers, which showed that two-fifths did not have access to vital end of life care; the results of an audit of cancer networks to show the impact of the Mesothelioma Framework on NHS services since it was introduced by the Government two years ago; and the progress of the Coroners and Justice Bill which is currently going through parliament. Liverpool - The event was held at the Town Hall. Doves were released by local school children. Also present were local digniteries including Mr Peter Kilfoyle MP and mayors from Merseyside's 5 boroughs. The audience then received a legal update from barrister, Andrew McDonald and an overview about asbestos diseases from consultant chest physician, Dr Christopher Warburton from University Hospital Aintree. Questions were put to the experts from the audience.
Gateshead - A lively and interesting programme of events held at Gateshead Civic Hall arranged by Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. Around 150 delegates attended and listed to medical, legal and patient testimonies of their experiences of mesothelioma. The audience were able to participate in asking probing questions about medical treatments for Mesothelioma. Moving speeches came from Debbie Brewer and Jan Egerton who have been undergoing treatment for mesothelioma for many years. They expressed without drama their hopes and fears. The intrusion and emotion which they have experienced during their journey with mesothelioma was breathtaking. Donations were made to the Mick Knighton Fund. All in all, it was a very successful day. Manchester– This annual event, organised by Greater Manchester Asbestos Victim Support Group, began with a sponsored dove release in front of the town hall in Albert’s Square. This provided an opportunity for everyone to pause and remember the pain and loss caused by mesothelioma. The theme for this year’s event was the need for government funding for research into treatment for mesothelioma victims. The UK government currently spends very little money on mesothelioma research with the vast majority being funded by donations. This is despite the fact that 89 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in the North West last year and numbers are set to rise. As well as remembering those who have lost the fight to mesothelioma the delegates at the Manchester event were campaigning for an asbestos disease research centre, similar to the one funded by the Australian government. A public meeting was held in the town hall with speeches by Dr Jennifer Hoyle, Consultant, at North Manchester General Hospital and Dr Dev, Consultant, at Stepping Hill Hospital. Both emphasised the difference that government funding into mesothelioma would make in terms of prognosis, treatment and care. There were also speeches from David Crausby MP and Tony Lloyd MP who assured delegates they will be continuing to campaign on their behalf. It was a moving but important day for the mesothelioma victims and also for those who have been affected by this terrible condition. Derbyshire - The event was organised by Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team. With Derbyshire's industrial history, including British Rail and the Trent Valley power stations, many of the county's workers were exposed to the deadly material.
Family and friends of loved ones met in the cinema in the Quad building. Presentations included a legal update into the law relating to mesothelioma and in particular hopes for a central government database to keep records of employer’s liability insureres. Michael Lees gave a heartfelt talk on asbestos within schools. He lost his wife, a former school teacher to this dreadful disease. Mrs Carol Anthony – DAST member and supporter spoke of how she has been affected by losing her husband to mesothelioma. Prior to presentations messages were shown on the cinema screen to loved ones that that have lost their lives to asbestos.
Ater the presentations there was a short performance from Theatre Company Babbling Vagabonds to raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. The highly amusing sketches showed the many ways a person can be exposed to asbestos. A DIY enthusiast and a lady washing her husbands overalls were depicted.
Leicester –A meeting was held in the Cathedral attended by sufferers and their families and those who had lost loved ones to mesothelioma. Speakers included the Lord Mayor, Maggie Sharpe who is the Chaplin at Glenfield Hospital and Liz Darlison, a nurse consultant, who campaigns for those who suffer from mesothelioma to improve their treatment and to ensure that everybody receives the same treatment options regardless of where they live. Purple ribbons were pinned onto a board which remembered those who had lost their lives to mesothelioma. Each speaker was asked to pin their ribbon to the board after speaking. The ribbons were used to form a circle to represent the circle of life. Following the meeting, 2 doves were released in the Cathedral gardens, one for sorrow and loss and the other for thanksgiving and hope. Prior to this those attending the meeting were each given 2 paper doves on which to write their own thoughts. These were then collected in 2 baskets and placed on the High Altar in the cathedral. Leeds – The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund sponsored an event in Millenium Square, Graham Webber, a teacher who developed mesothelioma spoke of his experience of mesothelioma. There was a delightful song performed by musician Boff Whalley. This was followed by a Dove release. Barnsley – There was an event arranged by the Sheffield And Rotherham Asbestos Group. Many people gathered outside Barnsley Town Hall to mark Action Mesothelioma Day. The Mayor of Barnsley was joined by town MPs Mick Clapham and Eric Illsley along with mesothelioma sufferers and their families. Birmingham – The central themes were the honouring of all those who have died and the necessity of achieving a Government funded centre for research as they have in Australia. The centrepiece was a memorial service and ceremonial dove release in the grounds of St Philips Cathedral in central Birmingham. The moving memorial service was followed by a dove release. Participating in this year’s events was pupils of the Barr Beacon Language College. They held a painting competition on the theme of hope for the future, just as this year’s activities marked the hope for the future that research offers, and winning pictures featured prominently in the ceremony. Mesothelioma According to the British Lung Foundation, more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the UK and there is one mesothelioma death every five hours. The number of deaths from mesothelioma increased from 153 in 1968 to 1,969 in 2004 and is expected to peak at 2,450 between 2011 and 2015. The British Lung Foundation, supported by John Pickering and Partners LLP, launched the first Action Mesothelioma Day on 27th February 2006, to raise awareness about mesothelioma, to improve the treatment and care of mesothelioma patients, and to lobby for better funding for research into mesothelioma and for the protection and education of people working with asbestos. John Pickering and Partners LLP John Pickering and Partners LLP is a specialist legal practice that has represented claimants in the leading asbestos "test cases" in the last ten years. The firm represented Sylvia Barker in Barker v Corus (UK) Plc, a case that highlighted the legal tactics of employers and insurers trying to cut back their compensation liabilities to mesothelioma sufferers, and which prompted the amendment of the Compensation Act 2006 to ensure full compensation for mesothelioma claims. The firm represented two of the three claimants in the Fairchild appeal, in which the insurance industry tried unsuccessfully to block compensation altogether for mesothelioma sufferers unable to identify which of two or more sources of asbestos exposure had caused their illness. If you need advice about an asbestos related illness, contact us now for information about making a claim for compensation. Further information: Telephone: 01422 345535 |
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