This year as every year since 2004, September 26th is being celebrated as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The purpose of the day is to call attention to the plight suffered by those who have been diagnosed with this rare and fatal form of cancer, as well as to all victims of asbestos exposure. For 2018, the celebration of Mesothelioma Awareness Day has taken the form of a very specific action: working to get asbestos banned in the United States in the same way that it has been banned in countries around the world.
It has been many years that the world has recognized the link between mesothelioma and asbestos, yet despite this well-established link, the use of the carcinogenic material has not been banned outright. Though many Americans believe that the substance was banned years ago, and its use has been significantly curtailed, it continues to be used as a result of strenuous lobbying efforts on the part of the chemical industry and others who profit from its continued use. Though there had been hopes for an outright ban at the end of the Obama administration, the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald J. Trump has taken a different view of asbestos, leading to an outcry and active resistance on the part of the mesothelioma community. This resistance includes a petition that is being circulated around the country: as part of Mesothelioma Awareness Day’s celebration, the petition will be hand-delivered to congressional leadership. The petition organizers’ goal it to reach 150,000 signatures before it is handed in.
Speaking of their efforts, the President and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, Linda Reinstein, said, “As we embrace Mesothelioma Awareness Day and action to end the asbestos man-made disaster, we encourage everyone to sign the petition urging the EPA to ban asbestos now without loopholes or exemptions.”
The Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are celebrating Mesothelioma Awareness Day in a number of ways, but the most important is by continuing to provide support and valuable information to those diagnosed with this rare and fatal form of cancer. For information, contact us at 1-800-692-8608.
