Action Mesothelioma Day – February 27

February 27, 2008 on 1:41 am | In Mesothelioma News |

Action Mesothelioma Day was launched on February 27, 2006 as an initiative by British Lung Foundation (BLF) with the help of other groups, to build awareness about the killer cancerous disease, mesothelioma, caused due to asbestos exposure.

In continuation to the campaign set up in 2006, events related to support mesothelioma and spread awareness are conducted to mark the Action Mesothelioma Day, 2008 to be held on February 27.

On this day, a petition called the “Action Mesothelioma Charter” signed by one thousand people was presented to the Parliament, which enlisted the various changes to be undertaken, to help build awareness toward mesothelioma as well as support people suffering from mesothelioma in Britain.

The campaign has become a platform where people of UK can protest against the exposure of asbestos in various industries as well.

The fight against mesothelioma through Action Mesothelioma Day was supported by specialist industrial disease solicitors Matthew Garson and Gina Heather along with a number of MPs.

Action Mesothelioma Charter Demands

• better treatment and support to mesothelioma patients
• safety to people working in industries using asbestos to prevent future exposure to asbestos
• financial support towards mesothelioma cancer research
• avoidance of asbestos-related cancer deaths
• justice for mesothelioma sufferers

Many mesothelioma sufferers with their families and supporters actively participated in various events conducted across United Kingdom to mark Action Mesothelioma Day.

Mesothelioma deaths in UK:

Last year itself the number of deaths due to mesothelioma in Britain amounted to an estimate of two thousand people.

According to an American study conducted by a non-profit research organization, Rand Corporation, it is indicated as much as 73,000 people have gone in for financial support and compensation for asbestos related disease, mesothelioma.

According to Amicus’ Health and Safety Officer, Rob Miguel, “Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after and because of this long delay it has been calculated that the number of UK cases will continue to rise until 2015. At present, some 2000 people a year die from this terrifying disease in the UK and by 2050 it is anticipated that 95,000 people will have died from mesothelioma.”

This indicates:

• 1,900 people die from mesothelioma each year in the UK
• 95,000 people will die from mesothelioma by 2050 in the UK
• 250,000 people will die from mesothelioma in Western Europe by 2035