Action Mesothelioma Day 2022
Action Mesothelioma Day takes place on the first Friday of July every year. During 2022, this unique day of awareness and remembrance is on Friday 1st July.
The main intention of Action Mesothelioma Day is to raise awareness about mesothelioma but it is also an opportunity to remember those who have been affected by the condition. Many thousands of people every year are newly diagnosed with asbestos related diseases and yet mesothelioma is still a disease that many people haven’t heard of.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer that usually develops in the lining of the lungs but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and the lining the heart. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the condition, although there are treatment options available which are intended to provide a better quality of life and/or prolong life expectancy.
Asbestos in the UK
Blue, white and brown asbestos was used widely in the UK across many industries for a number of decades. In particular, asbestos materials such as lagging and sheeting were extensively used by tradesmen during the 1960s and 1970s.
Many buildings today still have asbestos materials in them from when it was fitted all those years ago. This is a concern as the material will become damaged over time, the fibres will then escape into the atmosphere and will be inhaled by anyone in the area. Of further concern is that far too many employers today are still not adequately managing the asbestos in their workplace and thereby are exposing their workers to potentially deadly asbestos fibres. This is completely unnecessary and can be fully prevented.
The majority of mesothelioma sufferers have developed the condition as a result of exposure to asbestos dust in their previous work. Many of our mesothelioma clients had “traditional” jobs of carpenters, plumbers, electricians, laggers, pipe fitters, labourers and ship repairers. However, we are seeing more and more clients who were exposed to asbestos fibres when working in offices and shops or as teachers or nurses.
The environments in which our clients worked are wide and varied. We see many mesothelioma sufferers who have worked in power stations, factories, on the railways, at the docks, in offices and in schools. Mesothelioma is a condition that doesn’t discriminate – it can affect anyone irrelevant of their gender, age or race and is widespread across many types of employment.
It should be made clear that not everyone who has been exposed to asbestos fibres will develop mesothelioma. However, for those people who do develop the condition, the period between exposure to asbestos and first symptoms of the condition is very long and typically ranges from 10 to 60 years, with no upper limit in time. As such, people who know they have been exposed to asbestos dust have the worry of waiting to see if they are going to be one of the 2,500 or so people in the UK every year who are newly diagnosed with mesothelioma. It is shocking to think that in the last ten years alone, over 25,000 people have suffered from mesothelioma and that the majority of those sufferers contracted the condition through just going to work.
2022 Action Mesothelioma Day
The last couple of Action Mesothelioma Days had to be carried out as virtual events, due to the restrictions Covid-19 placed on us all. However, Action Mesothelioma Day 2022 is back to in-person events around the country.
Everyone is welcome to attend in person at their local Asbestos Support Group event to play their part in raising awareness about the disease and to remember their loved ones who have passed away from the condition.
Asbestos Support Groups play a crucial role in providing assistance and support after a diagnosis of mesothelioma. The Groups help mesothelioma sufferers and their families with everyday practical matters, as well as raise awareness about this devastating cancer by organising events throughout the year, including on Action Mesothelioma Day.
Anyone affected by mesothelioma is encouraged to participate in an event on Friday 1st July 2022 and to also spread the word to their family and friends about the importance of Action Mesothelioma Day. The internet provides details of the many events taking place around the country which have been organised by Asbestos Support Groups and other asbestos related organisations. If you are unable to attend in person, people are being encouraged to light a candle to remember a loved one or to wear blue in recognition of those who have lost their life to mesothelioma.
Regrettably mesothelioma is a condition which is not going away. We must continue to work together to raise awareness about the condition, ensure funding is secured for vital medical research and support the charities who do an amazing job every day in supporting mesothelioma sufferers and their families.
Contact Us
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease, we urge you to seek legal advice from us without delay. We will explore every single possible avenue with you to pursue a compensation claim and we act on a “no win, no fee” basis with no hidden charges and no deductions for legal fees. We will also ensure you are not missing out on any DWP benefits that you may be entitled to because of the mesothelioma condition. Call us today on 0330 822 3451 or request a call back online.