Mesothelioma Awareness Day Observed September 26

On September 26, 2009 those affected by the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma and volunteers worldwide will help call attention to the rare cancer on national Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the non-profit organization that started the day in 2005, expects the day to be the most successful awareness day for the cancer since it was organized four years ago.

“It is important to spread the word, to let everyone know about the viciousness of mesothelioma, but also to tell them about the resources and services available if they are ever faced with it,” said Bonnie Anderson, a mesothelioma patient and volunteer with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. “I have been a part of the Meso Foundation since my diagnosis and have been very grateful for their support. This is my way of giving back to the community.”

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is expanding their radio campaign that proved successful in 2008, by encouraging people to recognize Mesothelioma Awareness Day in cities and states nationwide. The foundation and its volunteers are contacting radio stations requesting them to play a song by Warren Zevon, an American rock singer who died of malignant mesothelioma, followed by a 20-second blurb about the cancer.

The foundation is also requesting the help of people throughout the United States to contact radio stations and local government officials to declare September 26 Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Twenty cities and states have signed on to participate in the day so far, and more than 100 radio stations and newspapers have confirmed their participation.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma patient often takes decades to present symptoms of the cancer, allowing it to spread and enter later stages of development. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 9:54 am and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.