Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Join us in Alton on September 26th and sign a petition asking our government to make this day nationally recognized for mesothelioma cancer victims throughout America.
Mesothelioma Awareness Day is a movement at both the state and federal level to declare September 26th a day for recognizing mesothelioma. Thanks to the hard work of grassroots advocates, Illinois passed a permanent resolution on May 30, 2009, declaring September 26th as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Lacey Caraway and her mother Janet Graeff of Murphysboro, Illinois, dilligently fought to accomplish this important recognition. Lacey was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in December 2005. You can read more about their efforts here.
However, only a few other states have done this. September 26th should be a national day recognizing the dangers of asbestos and the courage of thousands of families affected by this terrible and preventable disease.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation offers additional information on advocacy opportunities.
ILLINOIS MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY - HOUSE RESOLUTION
View on the Illinois government Web site. Download the PDF.
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Thousands of Americans die each year from mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos, that attacks the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles; and
WHEREAS, The heavy use of asbestos in manufacturing, industry, and construction has been recognized as "the worst occupational health disaster in U.S. history"; and
WHEREAS, Asbestos was used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before 1975; and
WHEREAS, A high percentage of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; and
WHEREAS, It is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers from the site of the World Trade Center destruction on September 11, 2001 may be at increased risk of contracting mesothelioma; and
WHEREAS, Even incidental exposure to asbestos is sufficient to cause cancer as long as 30 years later; and
WHEREAS, The lack of sufficient research to advance effective treatments for Mesothelioma has led to inadequate treatment for those stricken with the disease and has resulted in a situation where the majority of Mesothelioma patients succumb to the disease within a mere 12 to 15 months from the time of diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation was formed to eradicate the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma, and early progress in developing effective treatments for the disease is now being made; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of Mesothelioma Awareness Day would raise public awareness of the disease and the need to develop effective treatments for this devastating disease; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September 26 of each year to be Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
MESO FOUNDATION'S AWARENESS DAY TRACKING MAP
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