Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

Research into Asbestos Related Disease

chris — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:04:05 +0000

The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is presently reviewing current mesothelioma research and will advise on capacity, infrastructure and important research questions by the end of summer 2010

The NCRI have invited views from patients and patient groups, as well as Health professionals, scientists and all relevant areas. In view of the short time the NCRI have for this work they would be grateful if your response goes directly to: meso@ncri.org.uk

The British Lung Foundation are organising a workshop on Mesothelioma and asbestos related disease on November 23rd 2010 at the Wellcome Trust, Euston Road London.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Health, the National Institute for Human Resources (NIHR) and the British Thoracic Society. It will be advertised through the Academy of Medical Sciences and the scientific research community.

Clinical Research Training Fellowship

chris — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:29:57 +0000

The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund is delighted to announce the award of a ‘Clinical Research Training Fellowship’ grant in collaboration with the British Lung Foundation and Medical Research Council. The award of £247,624 has been made to Dr Elisabeth Sage who is based at University College London. This award will fund Dr Sage for 3 years, during which time she will research a potential new treatment for mesothelioma.

Current treatment options for mesothelioma are limited and new therapies are needed urgently. One new research area involves cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are usually found within our bone marrow but travel via the blood stream towards cancers and can infiltrate into them. These cells can be modified to carry a therapy called ‘TRAIL’, which kills cancer cells without damaging surrounding healthy cells.

Previous studies have shown that MSCs carrying TRAIL can be sent to lung cancer and destroy the cancer cells. In all cases cancer growth was reduced and in 40% cancers were eliminated.

In initial experiments, Dr Sage has shown these MSCs carrying TRAIL can destroy malignant pleural mesothelioma cancer cells. She will now examine how widely effective this new therapy is and whether it can be improved by combining it with existing chemotherapy drugs.

If these experiments are successful this treatment could easily be delivered to patients through a tube directly to the cancer in the space surrounding the lungs.

We look forward to following this work as it develops over the next 3 years

Unison slams Waltham Forest council for failing to protect children, teachers and works from asbestos and legionnaires diseases in local schools

chris — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:06:50 +0000

UNISON has been alarmed to learn that Waltham Forest Council has received 3 improvement notices from our health and safety police, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in relation to asbestos management and legionella in Waltham Forest schools. Exposure to either could cause fatal diseases.
An HSE Inspector visited Henry Maynard Infants and Juniors, Kelmscott and Willowfield Schools and found that “none of the four schools visited had an asbestos management plan” and that the Council had not carried out actions to reduce the risk of legionnaires disease arising from the possible presence of legionella bacteria in the schools’ water systems. The HSE say as all four schools visited failed they are concerned this situation may be replicated throughout the borough. They therefore require the Council to review the situation in all community schools.
“It is very worrying to learn that the Council has not been carrying out its duties to safeguard the children and employees who attend Waltham Forest Schools. The HSE have told us that the Council has not met the requirements of its own risk assessment and we now have a situation where the Council is being ordered to carry out its duties under health and safety legislation. A further failure to act could result in prosecution.” said Su Manning, UNISON Branch Heath and Safety Convenor.
“It is quite staggering that this situation should arise at a time when we know that the government are planning to deregulate health and safety further and reduce the number of inspections and notices issued by the HSE. This will only serve to let employers get away with not treating health and safety at work seriously even more.” Su added.
Bill Palmer, UNISON’s Branch Health and Safety Officer, said: “This has been coming for some time. Waltham Forest schools have been allowed to scrimp and save on health and safety and it is no surprise to see the Council being criticised and given a notice to improve their monitoring of asbestos and the risk of legionella in schools. The trade unions have long complained of inadequate health and safety management in schools and hope that these notices will make the Council take the actions that are clearly laid out in their own risk assessments and the inspectors report.”

Su concluded that “UNISON believes that Health and Safety could be one of the biggest losers under the new Academies scheme with schools being unaccountable to even a poorly performing local authority and the average time between HSE inspections being 38 years. Only with a mixture of capital expenditure and robust Health and Safety enforcement can schools be a safe and healthy place for students and workers alike”
Contact: Su Manning or Dave Knight on 020 8496 4703 or 07837 380236.

“UNISON safety representatives protesting government health and safety cuts”

More information on asbestos can be found on the HSE’s web site at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

Further, more specific, information about asbestos in schools can be found at:
http://www.asbestosexposureschools.co.uk/

Payment for Pleural Plaques

chris — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:46:01 +0000

To qualify for payment through this scheme, you must have been diagnosed with pleural plaques as a result of exposure to asbestos and have attempted to claim damages for the condition prior to 17 October 2007.
In addition:
As part of your damages claim, you must have
a) issued a claim form or
b) sent a claim letter prior to 17 October 2007 (in line with Pre-Action Protocol for Disease and Illness).

Or
Prior to 17 October 2007 you must have named a defendant/insurer to make your claim against, approached a legal/trade union representative about your case and received confirmation that your case was being taken on
In addition, you must:
not have received any interim payments from your claim for £5000 or more;
have never resolved your case.

Applications are accepted by telephone or online only.
To apply by telephone: 0300 303 8150 – lines are open from 08:30 – 17:00 Mon to Thurs and 08:30 – 16:30 on a Friday.
To apply online: online application form.
Applications must be submitted by 1 August 2011 to be eligible.
Copies of additional documents must be submitted within 30 days of making your application to support your claim otherwise your claim will be rejected. Please note you can only apply once under this scheme.
The type of documents will depend on whether you had legal representation for your original damages claim.
•       a sealed copy (i.e. sealed by the issuing court) of the claim form [and particulars of claim]; or
•       a copy, certified by the solicitor, of the letter of claim and the documents in support which were sent with it to the defendant/insurer.
•       If you did not send a letter claiming damages as part of your original claim, you will need to provide:
•       Proof of diagnosis of pleural plaques resulting from exposure to asbestos (e.g. a medical report).
•       Copies of correspondence with the solicitor or trade union (certified by the solicitor or trade union) confirming the taking on of the case prior to 17 October 2007 and its handling.
•       Documentation to show that you were working in England or Wales and were exposed to asbestos in the course of that employment.
•       Details of the defendant and/or insurer and grounds of claim against that defendant/insurer.

Changing Lives Campaign

chris — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:59:00 +0000

By donating your loose change ,you can help us reach our one million pound target and help change the lives of those suffering with mesothelioma.

With the help and support of people like you, since the Research Fund began in 2002 over £850,000 has been achieved.

This wonderful amount has helped us to fund two major research studies into the disease; a further study is currently being evaluated. MKMRF is also funding Mesothelioma UK’s helpline (Tele: 0800 169 2409) throughout 2010.

By placing these boxes in homes, offices clubs etc, the loose change will help provide a better quality of life to sufferers by helping research effective mesothelioma treatment.

As MKMRF is run entirely voluntarily, every single penny you donate goes directly into the pot.

If you wish to take part in the campaign, please telephone: 0191 2637386 or email: c.knighton@mkmrf.org.uk

Action Mesothelioma Day Conference

chris — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:37:07 +0000

Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH

The day is for patients, carers, health care and legal professionals along with trade unions, health and safety representatives and all individual family members affected by Mesothelioma

10.00am Registration and Coffee

10 30am Introduction by Chair, Dr David Leitch,Lead Clinician of NECN Group based at University Hospital of North Tees.

10.50am A Patient’s Perspective, Geoff Wind
Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

11.10am National Centre for Asbestos Disease Speaker to be confirmed

11.30am Professor Ruth Plummer, MKMRF Patron and Clinical Director at the Bobby Robson Cancer Trials at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

11.50am MKMRF Research Award into Treating Mesothelioma with Stem Cells. Dr Sam Janes. Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant at University College London.

12.10 Ask the Experts

12.30 – 1.30 Lunch

1.30pm Penny Borgen Community Lung Cancer Nurse, South Tyneside

1.50pmCordotomy Service for Mesothelioma Patients. Dr Paul Cook, Consultant in Anesthesia and Palliative Care at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

2.10pm Compensation and Benefits. Ian McFall,MKMRF Patron and Head of Asbestos Litigation at Thompsons Solicitors

2.30pm Living With Mesothelioma, Natalie Doyle, Nurse Consultant in Cancer Rehabilitation at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London

2.50pm Chris Knighton, Founder of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

3.10pm Ask the Experts

3.30pm Tea and Coffee

If you wish to attend the conference, please contact Chris Knighton,
Telephone 0191 2637386. Email c.knighton@mkmrf.org.uk

Fax 01912622661

Group launched to support victims of asbestos

chris — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:51:27 +0000

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

The deadly fibres, once used freely in industry across Tyneside, are the biggest single cause of work-related death in the UK.

Thousands of people across the region have been affected and now a new organisation has been launched to support them.

The Northern Asbestos Support and Campaign Group was launched on Worker’s Memorial Day, April 28th at Wallsend Memorial Hall. Operating under the Northern Trade Union Congress (TUC), the group is the first of its kind to deliver professional support to people affected by asbestos disease across the North East.

Services include a drop in centre, a telephone helpline, expert advice on benefit entitlements, home visits and support for family members at Coroner’s inquests.

As a former shipyard worker I have known many workmates die from asbestos diseases like mesothelioma,” said chairman Michael Blench, an ex-Swan Hunter shipyard conveyor from Wallsend.

“I am well aware of the devastating impact asbestos has had on families across the region.

“We hope we will provide much-needed help and advice to those affected by asbestos.

“Through our links with trade unions,health professionals and expert legal firms we are determined to make a real impact on providing services to victims of asbestos and to find ways of making our workplaces and communities safer by enforcing safeguards to prevent asbestos exposure.”

Kevin Rowan, Regional Secretary of Northern TUC added: “For the first time practical support will be available to families affected by asbestos disease across the region delivered free of charge by a professional team.

“The group will work with other interested organisations to create a focus for campaigning on health and safety and social justice issues to deal with the legacy of asbestos in the region.”

Chris Knighton, from the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, is supporting the new group. Her Wallsend-based charity, set up after the death of her husband Mick, raises fund for research into asbestos illnesses.

“We are delighted this group is being launched and we look forward to working closely together to provide extra services to those suffering and their families,” she said.

“There has been a need for an organisation of this kind. I wish this service had been around when my husband Mick was ill as it would have eased the burden of navigating the benefits system during such a heartbreaking time.”

The Northern Asbestos Support and Campaign Group drop in centre will be based at Wallsend People’s Centre on Frank Street. For more information contact Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC on 0191 232 3175 or 07766250074

Vacinne to destroy Asbestos Cancer

chris — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:44:37 +0000

Scientists have found a vaccine they hope can beat asbestos cancer. Although in the early tages ,experts have safely tested the new therapy on patients suffering from mesothelioma and three out of ten had tumour shrinkage.

The next goal is to work on a vaccine to prevent the cancer from developing in the first place.

The research carried out at Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, Holland, stimulates a patient’s immune system to attack cancerous cells. Research leader, Dr Joachim Aerts said: ” We hope it will be possible to increase survival in patients with mesothelioma and to eventually vaccinate people who have been in contact with asbestos.”

Punk Legend dies of Mesothelioma

chris — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:20:16 +0000

Malcolm McLaren, Fashion Designer, Impresorio and Manager of punk group the Sex Pistols, died on 8th April 2010 age 64 from mesothelioma.

It is thought exposure to the deadly asbestos fibres took place at his infamous fashion shop, Sex, which he formed in the 1970’s.

He was diagnosed in October 2009 and was survived by his wife, Young Kim and son Westward, Joe Corrie.

chris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:12:23 +0000