Behind a Smile
by Pauline Bonney
Shadows of blowing trees play as the moon lends it’s light
Silhouettes of buildings depicted against the dark sky at night
The bright stars twinkle in a disorganized rhythmic pattern
Clouds silently float like pillows puffed up, not flattened
Quietness fills the air as slowly time depicts a new dawn
The sun lifts the veil of yesterdaay to bring a new day born
With memories of what befell to bring about this occasion
Mesothelioma Day stands true of the global asbestos situation
Standing as one,for those we remember and those who suffer
Broadening the knowledge, asbestos more than man is tougher
As tears fall like raindrops our symbols of hope are placed
With doves of white released, tributes of love and embrace
In this moment we show equality and race come together
Kindred spirit of mind to erase the asbestos legacy forever
As quietly as arriving the breeze signifies the ending of day
Our footprints left to acknowledge innocent lives stolen away
Even though we all share the same picture and hear the identical
Asbestos disease is with awareness, thought and care preventable
This day maybe but a mention to others and forgotten in a while
Victims families and friends live with memories behind a smile
Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund
Action Mesothelioma Day 2011
Service of Thanksgiving
St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle
Conducted by Reverend Canon Jim Robertson MKMRF Patron
We trust beyond absence there is presence
That beyond pain there can be healing
That beyond brokenness there can be wholeness
That beyond anger there may be peace
That beyond hurting there is forgiveness
That beyond silence there may the word
That beyond word there may be understanding
That through understanding there may be love
Almighty God, as you bring us face to face with our own mortality
We thank you for making each of us in your own image
And giving us gifts in body mind and spirit
We thank you now as we light the candle
And honour the memory of so many special people
Whom you gave to us and now rest in your eternal light
We entrust them to your mercy
And pray that you will continue to show us the path of life
And the Fullness of joy in your presence now and forever more Amen
The Candle of Hope lit by Chris Knighton
Almighty God each new day bring us from darkness to light
And make your light shine upon us
We thanks for the courage of those who have worked hard for so long
To achieve the significant progress in the care of those with Mesothelioma
And also raising funds into research into the disease
May we continue to bless their endeavours and may this candle be a candle of hope to all those who are affected on a daily basis
Soloist Wendy Boyd sang Ave Maria
Readings given by Anne Craig and Ian McFall
A trilogy of white doves were released in St Nicholas Square following the service with the prayer
Heavenly Father,
May these Doves that we release
Be a symbol of your Holy Spirit,
Giving hope to our lives.
May the achievements of the past ten years
Encourage us to believe that in you all things are possible.
So may they go in peace
As we seek to serve Christ in one another.
Amen
Following a buffet lunch Action Mesothelioma Day
continued with a Mesothelioma Seminar
The objectives of the seminar was to give Mesothelioma patients and careers the chance to meet and share experiences with others affected by the disease, while providing health care and legal professionals along with trade unions ,health and safety representatives with up-to-date, unbiased information.
Chaired by Dr Tim Peel Consultant in general and respiratory medicine in North Tyneside and in palliative medicine. Dr Peel’s particular interest is in lung cancer and Mesothelioma as he works in an area with a very high prevalence of asbestos related lung disease.
Leah Taylor
Leah Taylor, Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist at North Tyneside General Hospital explained the role of the LCNS in Mesothelioma and What is Hospice Care; while Ian McFall from Thompsons Solicitors took us through The Next Challenge for those claiming benefits and compensation.
Chris Knighton, MKMRF’s “Thanks a Million” presentation was a thanks and celebration for reaching their £1m target. Chris went onto highlight the six Asbestos Related Disease Awards made by the British Lung Foundation, following the donation by the four insurance companies. Further information on the awards can be found at www.lunguk.org
Michael Lees
Michael Lees, Founder of the Asbestos Exposure in Schools Campaign, gave a thought provoking account of the dangers of asbestos in schools and how many schools asbestos management is ineffective. He went on to explain, the particular risk children and others working in the school environment are under, as low background levels of the asbestos fibres can be cumulatively dangerous
The Trustees and Patrons of the Mike Knighton Mesothelioma Trust would like to thank Wendy Boyd, all those who gave presentations, along with the Dean & Chapter of the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, Newcastle for their permission to hold this service and also all the Cathedral Staff for their co-operation and support.
The event was funded by:
Thompsons Solicitors,Irwin Mitchell and MKMRF
