Category: For Your Family
ADAO Conference Brings Mesothelioma Advocates Together
The 9th Annual Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s International Asbestos Awareness Conference will be held March 22 – 24 in Washington, DC. The conference, entitled “The Asbestos Crisis: New Trends in Prevention and Treatment,” will focus on the latest advancements in disease prevention, global advocacy, and treatment for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The serious harm caused by exposure to asbestos is a nationwide and worldwide problem. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, they estimate 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with the deadly asbestos cancer.
According to the conference website, the conference includes “four powerful, cutting–edge sessions:”
- Medical Advancements: Diagnosing and Treating Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Diseases
- Patients and Caregivers: Navigating the Medical Maze
- Prevention: What Is It? Where Is It? What Do I Do?
- Advocacy: Global Ban Asbestos Action
Speakers at the conference include keynote speaker Dr. Aubrey Miller, Senior Medical Advisor and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Liaison to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Karen Banton, widow of the late activist Bernie Banton and CEO of the Bernie Banton Foundation, an Australian foundation that provides support and information to asbestos-related disease sufferers and their families while raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos; mesothelioma survivors; ADAO staff; environmentalists; physicians; nurses and scientists.
Lou Williams, a mesothelioma survivor from Australia highlighted in an article last week on MesotheliomaHelp, will attend the conference as a representative of the Bernie Banton Foundation. According to the agenda, Lou will present “Mesothelioma Warriors Unite” March 24.
Honorees this year include U.S. Representative Lois Capps receiving the Tribute of Hope Award, Dr. Celeste Monforton receiving the Dr. Irving Selikoff Lifetime Achievement Award, Karen Banton receiving the Tribute of Inspiration Award and Mavis Nye, a mesothelioma patient, will be recognized with The Alan Reinstein Award.
ADAO was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is the largest independent organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases.
See the ADAO website for more information on the conference.
Student of Optometry Places Third in Mesothelioma Essay Scholarship Contest, Encourages Mesothelioma Patients to Maintain a Positive Attitude
Kim Forgione completed a degree at the University of Montana in wildlife biology, and was anxious to continue her education. However, as she looked to earning a doctorate in optometry she knew that finding ways to help pay for her education would be critical in allowing her to focus on her goal. Fortunately, Kim entered the mesothelioma essay scholarship contest sponsored by MesotheliomaHelp.org and placed third for her essay, “Latest Developments in Mesothelioma Treatment Options,” winning $1,250 to apply towards her PhD program.
“I never take for granted people and organizations that are generous enough to help me in reaching my academic goals,” said Kim after learning of her prize. “The scholarship will help me in meeting the financial challenges of attending optometry school, and it strengthens my obligation to always do my best and live up to my full potential.”
Kim’s essay focused on new developments for the treatment of mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer, such as tomotherapy, an advanced form of radiotherapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy. She concludes saying, “The future of mesothelioma treatment options is hopeful, and new findings can only build upon our current knowledge in revolutionary ways.”
Although Kim had heard of mesothelioma prior to writing her essay, she said, “I am privileged for having the opportunity to engage in a scholarship contest that allowed me to learn so much about such an important topic.” She added that she would tell mesothelioma patients, “to maintain a positive and hopeful attitude.” Treatment options have come a long way over the past few years, she said, and she believes they can only become more advanced in the years to come.
The winning essay writers had a second chance to win an Apple iPad Mini by garnering the most “likes” on MesotheliomaHelp.org’s Facebook page for their winning essays. Kim received a total of 460 votes to win the iPad.
“The iPad will allow me to have numerous optometry-related applications at my finger tips. It will also serve as a convenient means to transport notes, textbooks, and other references to class.”
Kim said she was “honored” to be chosen as one of the winners. Now she will help raise awareness of mesothelioma by directing people to MesotheliomaHelp.org and other appropriate mesothelioma resources.
You can read Kim’s winning essay here.
Don’t Forget to Donate to Mesothelioma Research Efforts in the New Year
Research and development efforts for new, effective pharmaceuticals for mesothelioma take a lot of time and money. Nearly all new development projects rely on both government and private funding. While there is typically an increase in the amount of money raised during the end of year push as people donate for their last chance at a tax deduction, it is important to remember that year round donations are critical to keep projects moving forward.
Mesothelioma, a rare asbestos-related cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs, is highly aggressive and is resistant to many of the current cancer treatments. While there is no known cure for mesothelioma, new research and an increased knowledge among medical professionals has increased the survival time and improved the quality of life for many patients.
Although runs and walks are the mainstay of fundraisers for cancer research, many families touched by mesothelioma often turn to dinners, silent auctions and raffles. Putting together a fundraiser takes effort, but the payoff is rewarding. Most often, mesothelioma fundraisers are targeted for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. The work of the Meso Foundation relies heavily on donations from mesothelioma patients and their families and friends. Law firms, drug companies, and companies formerly involved with asbestos also help to fund its efforts.
According to its website, “The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the nonprofit collaboration of patients and families, physicians, advocates, and researchers dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma. We believe in a cure for meso.” The Meso Foundation also aims to “fund the highest quality and most promising mesothelioma research projects from around the world through rigorous peer-review.”
Additional information about its efforts can be found online at www.curemeso.org.
Next week, Jennifer Gelsick will share her family’s approach to fundraising for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Their efforts started in September after her father, Don Smitley, was treated for mesothelioma, and they continue to plan and organize fundraisers to help find a cure for the disease.
Mesothelioma Essay Scholarship Contest Winners Announced
The New York City law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP and Mesotheliomahelp.org are pleased to announce the winners of its first Mesotherlioma essay scholarship contest. Current college students were invited to write an essay about mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Nearly 60 entries were received for the contest where $10,000 in prize money was offered. The essays had to address a mesothelioma sufferer’s personal story, the history of asbestos use in American industry / manufacturing or the latest developments in medical treatments for mesothelioma.
“About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year and an equal number of mesothelioma patients die every year,” said Joseph W. Belluck, a founding partner of the Belluck & Fox, LLP. However, continued public awareness of the disease is important to educate Americans of the dangers of asbestos.
“The scholarship money from our essay contest is another way to help younger people to learn about this disease,” Belluck said.
This year’s grand prize winner is Betsy Warren of Attleboro, MA. Ms. Warren is a returning student pursuing a degree in nursing at Rhode Island College. Her story, “The Ugly Elephant,” was about her father’s battle with mesothelioma. Upon being informed of winning the grand prize, Ms.Warren said, “Thank you! My father would be proud right now.”
The additional Belluck & Fox, LLP / MesotheliomaHelp.org Scholarship Essay Contest winners are as follows:
- $2,500 Second Place: Kimberly McCauley, student at AIU
- $1,250 Third Place: Kim Forgione, student at Pacific University College of Optometry
- $500 Fourth Place: Kate Nadeau, nursing student at Rhode Island College
- $250 Fifth Place: Allison Walker
- $100 honorable mention winners are: Jordeen Henry, Carla Patton, Brittany Brooks, Lisa Hu, and Rachel Norton.
Winning essays can be viewed on MesotheliomaHelp.org.
The winners had a second chance to win by sharing their essay with friends and family through Facebook. MesotheliomaHelp.org posted the 10 winning essays on its Facebook page, and the writer whose essay received the most “likes” won an Apple iPad Mini. Kim Forgione received a total of 460 votes to win the iPad.
Stay tuned to MesotheliomaHelp.org as several of the winners are highlighted in upcoming articles.
Science Shows Empathy from Doctors Can Lead to Happier, Healthier Mesothelioma Patients
In an article posted earlier this month, it was noted that medical providers in the UK are encouraged to be cognizant of the impact their words can have on their patients. When telling a patient of his newly-diagnosed mesothelioma, for example, the doctors are encouraged to walk in their mesothelioma patient’s shoes to understand the repercussions their words could have. Now, researchers report empathy from physicians can lead to “happier patients with better health outcomes.”
It is well known in the medical community that when a mesothelioma patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are all addressed during treatment, the person’s quality of life is improved, which in turn, improves the response to their treatments. In effect, focusing on the power of the mind-body connection can be beneficial to the patient.
Researchers from Michigan State University can now back this up through a small scientific study of patients after discussions with doctors. They found that “a doctor-patient relationship built on trust and empathy doesn’t just put patients at ease — it actually changes the brain’s response to stress and increases pain tolerance.”
The research team, led by Issidoros Sarinopoulos, professor of radiology at MSU, randomly assigned patients to doctor-patient interviews that were either patient-centered or clinical focused. Each patient was then given a post-interview questionnaire and an MRI scan along with a series of mild electric shocks.
When doctors spoke with patients taking a patient-focused approach allowing the patients to speak freely about their lifestyle and other psychological and social factors affecting their health, the patients reported greater satisfaction and confidence in their doctor in the questionnaire than did their counterparts who had a clinical discussion with their doctor. In addition, during the MRI scan where the patient-focused group was subjected to discomfort through the shocks, the researchers found less activity in the part of their brains that makes people aware of pain.
“Medicine has for too long focused just on the physical dimensions of the patient,” said Robert Smith, professor of medicine at MSU who co-authored the paper. “Those clinical questions are important and necessary, but we’re trying to demonstrate that when you let patients tell their story in an unfettered way, you get more satisfied patients who end up healthier.”
The study was published in the journal Patient Education and Counseling.
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