The Department of Health Minister Rosie Winterton chose the Action Mesothelioma event in Newcastle to announce the National Mesothelioma Framework.
Health Minister, Rosie Winterton took the opportunity to announce the publication of the National Mesothelioma Framework at the Newcastle/ Gateshead event organised by the MKMRF. Her message was positive and the improvements that have taken place since the Mesothelioma Charter were noted. Although she stressed there is still a lot of work to do to ensure the recommendations are implemented by healthcare providers
Among the guests were the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Maureen Goldsworthy and Consort, Councillor Paul Foy, and Dave Anderson MP. Regional secretaries of the TUC, Kevin Rowan and GMB, Tom Brennan. supported the day as did CWU and Unison. Most importantly victims, widows and their families braved the weather in support of the campaign.
The Health Minister spoke to many people affected by mesothelioma, patients and families alike and left with a better understanding of the disease and the threat posed by the thousands of tonnes of asbestos still in buildings today.
A reception took place afterwards in the Crofton Mess at HMS Calliope where guest were met by Commander Chris Scribbons and Lieutenant Commander Charlie Watson. A specially produced video about mesothelioma (see below) was shown to a hushed audience in which mesothelioma sufferers warn of the dangers construction workers face today in buildings contaminated with asbestos.
Thank you to: Thompsons Solicitors, Browell Smith & Co and UNISON for sponsoring the event. Thanks also go to i-two-photographs, Baps Caterers, Millennium Balloons and HMS Calliope.
Sheffield and Rotherham Asbestos Groups held a balloon release at All Saints Square in Rotherham to mark Action Mesothelioma Day.
People were invited to sponsor a balloon in remembrance of mesothelioma victims throughout South Yorkshire and Bassettlaw. A total of £3,000 was raised for mesothelioma research and SARAG kindly donated £1,500 towards the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Fund.
Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group raised over £20,000 for mesothelioma research. Victims of this devastating cancer held a sponsored Balloon release to mark Action Mesothelioma Day. The proceeds were donated to the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund and the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. Their support and donation is very much appreciated.
Professor Julian Peto, Cancer Research UK chairman of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said around 90,000 people would die from mesothelioma and a further 90,000 from asbestos-related lung cancer.
Professor Peto said those exposed to asbestos in the 1960s and 70s were now suffering an epidemic of mesothelioma which will peak in less than 10 years.He estimated that 90,000 people will die from this particular form of cancer and revealed that 30,000 had already done so.
“Mesothelioma is on a completely different scale from any other industrial cancer disease in the world,” he said.”The highest risk group of all is carpenters. One in 10 of all carpenters in Britain of that generation could be affected. “Mesothelioma has already killed twice as many people as cervical cancer. Instead of young women, those affected are elderly working class men.”
Mesothelioma, which is a relatively unknown form of cancer, is hard to diagnose and there is no cure – only palliative treatment Prof Peto said there was significant evidence that women and children who lived with men exposed to asbestos in the 1960s had a chance of contracting the disease.
He said the dangers of exposure to asbestos had been known since the 1930s: “Historically, it is incomprehensible that this has happened. That Britain should have made this extraordinary industrial error seems hard to understand.”
Government action to improve services for people with asbestos-related cancer has come just in time to address the forthcoming UK epidemic of the disease.
Recent cases show that builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians are now the largest high-risk groups – they are most likely to come across asbestos in the buildings where they work. A British Lung Foundation YouGov survey shows that more than a third (37%) of the British public is still unaware that contact with asbestos can cause cancer and only half (55%) are aware that their boiler cupboard could contain the deadly building material.
The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund welcomes this initiative by the Department of Health to improve services for people with the asbestos-caused cancer mesothelioma. They along with the British Lung Foundation and Asbestos Victim Groups have campaigned for the disease to be made a national priority because it is one of the few cancers that has seen no improvement under the Cancer Plan despite the coming epidemic. This initiative will help to ensure that people with this cruel disease now have a better chance of receiving the best treatment and care.
The British Lung Foundation commissioned the survey to find out how much people really knew about the hazards of asbestos in the home. The results show that while almost everyone (98%) has heard of asbestos, nearly two thirds (65%) have never heard of mesothelioma, the fatal cancer of the lining of the lung caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. It also reveals that there is still widespread ignorance about the health hazards of asbestos and where it might be found in the home, despite the fact that anyone who comes into contact with it could be at risk.
Nearly half of those surveyed (45%) don’t know which types of asbestos are the most dangerous; more than a third (36%) are unaware that a corrugated roof could contain asbestos; more than one in ten (12%) wrongly think that asbestos might be found in their fridges; 3% wrongly thought of looking for it in their sofa; and less than a third (29%) thought that homes built between 1960 and 1975 might be at risk when in fact, these were the peak years for asbestos use and if homes were built or renovated then, they could contain quantities of the material.
Ros McGann and Chris Jones travelled from Stafford so Chris could take part in the Great North Run. Ros’s husband Tim, a much loved husband, father and friend was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2005 and fought the disease with dignity, courage and humour, but lost his battle in November 2005 aged 40.
Chris one of Tim’s Angels ran in his memory raising 730 pounds to the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. Both Ros and Chris are determined to continue with their fundraising and we wish them well!
A Night of Scootering Sounds The Night was a great success!
A Scooter Convention is the venue for organiser Janet Oakley to present a cheque for 1,213.21 to the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund.
Janet Oakley’s father, George died from Mesothelioma having been exposed to asbestos during his working life.
Janet and husband John, members of the Tyneside Scooter Club, organised a night of soul music. The bands who gave their time for free got the evening off to an explosive start setting the scene for the night. An evening of music dancing and fun was great success and raised an incredible 1213.21p to the Mick Knighton Fund. A huge thank you to Janet, her family are extremely proud of her and so are we!
Chris Knighton was delighted to be presented with a promotional banner by the Rotary Club of Monkseaton Centenary as part of the Clubs Cancer Care Project. Speaking at the presentation President Celia Leach paid tribute to the Fund’s volunteers and the research study they are funding at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research.
Paul Drabble from Sheffield donated 400 towards the MKMRF proceeds from a sponsored slim. Well done Paul!
Alan Thorpe was suffering from mesothelioma and well aware of the desperate need for more research awareness into this cruel disease. Alan asked family and friends to give to the fund in lieu of gifts for his 63rd birthday. 1,085 was raised with a further gift from son, Richard’s firm BT who generously donated 500 bring the total to a wonderful 1,585. Sadly Alan, a well loved member of the Northeast Mesothelioma Self help Group, died in January and his family and friends once again donated 1,175 to the MKMRF in his memory. We are extremely grateful for their support.
St Columbas United Reformed Church North Shields “HANDS GROUP” raised a staggering 740 at their Coffee morning! Thank you!
When musician David Craig lost his father, Dave Craig to mesothelioma aged 54yrs he vowed to help raise awareness and provide money for research into the disease. His band NEU2 faithfully reproduces the atmosphere and music of U2 held a fundraising event at The Assembly Rooms in Newcastle. The evening jumped with the sounds of “Beautiful Day” and other U2 classics and finished with a moving rendition of “In the Name of Love” which said it all!
Thank you everyone who supported the night and provided generous gifts to raffle and auction. Gifts included a case of fine wine from Irwin Mitchell, Stella and Derek Holmstrom provided a Digital Box, Gillian Nichol a sumptuous basket of fruit. A Signed Testimonial Programme for veteran Newcastle United footballer, David Craig was donated by and auctioned.
Gary Minister took part in the Edinburgh Run last year in memory of his uncle, Chris Atkins from Norfolk. Gary donated £420 to mesothelioma research in the hope a preventive treatment can be found to help the many suffers of this dreadful disease.
