Asbestos Blamed for Death of Disco Queen Donna Summer
Celebrities
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
- Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
- Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- 5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
Testimonials
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
How to Cite Asbestos.com’s Article
APA
Hall, M. (2020, December 18). Asbestos Blamed for Death of Disco Queen Donna Summer. Asbestos.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://www.asbestos.com/news/2012/05/18/donna-summer-dies-asbestos-lung-cancer/
MLA
Hall, Mark. "Asbestos Blamed for Death of Disco Queen Donna Summer." Asbestos.com, 18 Dec 2020, https://www.asbestos.com/news/2012/05/18/donna-summer-dies-asbestos-lung-cancer/.
Chicago
Hall, Mark. "Asbestos Blamed for Death of Disco Queen Donna Summer." Asbestos.com. Last modified December 18, 2020. https://www.asbestos.com/news/2012/05/18/donna-summer-dies-asbestos-lung-cancer/.
The Queen of Disco Donna Summer died on Thursday in her Naples, Florida, home after a quiet battle with lung cancer.
She was 63.
The five-time Grammy winner was best known for hits like “Love To Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff”.
Summer did not openly discuss her battle with cancer or asbestos exposure. The news of her death came as a surprise to many.
Family, friends and fans are now recounting the positive memories of the singer, in addition to the causes of her cancer.
Asbestos: A Silent Killer
Sources state that her cancer developed after inhaling toxic dust from the 9/11 Attacks site. This is likely to be asbestos-contaminated dust, which has been known to affect countless New Yorkers, specifically first-responders to the September attacks.
Asbestos is known to cause multiple diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural plaques. Exposure to this hazardous material traditionally occurs to people who work in occupational fields and in industrial settings.
In the case of Summer, her proximity to Ground Zero may be the culprit.
She was in her New York apartment on Sept. 11, 2001, when the attacks occurred. Asbestos dust clouds were prevalent throughout the city following the collapse of the Twin Towers.
In 2008, Summer recounted her feelings of that dreadful day.
“I was really freaked out by the horrific experiences of that day. I couldn’t go out; I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I had to keep the blinds down and stay in my bedroom. I went to church and light came back into my soul. That heaviness was gone.”
Lung cancer is cited as the leading cause of cancer deaths for Americans, accounting for nearly 200,000 diagnoses each year. Asbestos is believed to cause as much as four percent of all lung cancer cases. Like Summer, countless New Yorkers have developed asbestos-related diseases and respiratory issues as a result of the dust cloud that lingered in the city. Thousands of Ground Zero workers have reportedly developed chronic diseases after the attacks.
If it is confirmed that the Queen of Disco’s cancer was caused by asbestos exposure, she would join the list of other notable Americans to have died from an asbestos disease.
Memories of a Legend
According to sources, the death came unexpectedly to the family. Relatives have reached comfort through reminiscing about the singer’s contributions to music, society and family.
“Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith,” the family released in a statement.
“While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can’t express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time.”
President Barack Obama also commented on the news of Summer’s death by releasing a statement.
“Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the ‘Queen of Disco.’ Her voice was unforgettable and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.”
ET reported that Summer will be laid to rest next week in Nashville, Tennessee.
Summer is survived by a husband and three children.
Like Summer, countless New Yorkers have developed asbestos-related diseases and respiratory issues as a result of the dust cloud that lingered in the city. Thousands of Ground Zero workers have reportedly developed chronic diseases after the attacks.
If it is confirmed that the Queen of Disco’s cancer was caused by asbestos exposure, she would join the list of other notable Americans to have died from an asbestos disease.
Memories of a Legend
According to sources, the death came unexpectedly to the family. Relatives have reached comfort through reminiscing about the singer’s contributions to music, society and family.
“Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith,” the family released in a statement.
“While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can’t express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time.”
President Barack Obama also commented on the news of Summer’s death by releasing a statement.
“Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the ‘Queen of Disco.’ Her voice was unforgettable and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.”
ET reported that Summer will be laid to rest next week in Nashville, Tennessee.
Summer is survived by a husband and three children.
