Action Mesothelioma Day aims to increase awareness of asbestos and mesothelioma, raise vital funds to support research into tackling and treating mesothelioma and remember and support those who have been affected by mesothelioma.
Peter Hilditch and Lynn Yeates based in our Southampton office are fortunate to be on the legal panel of an amazing support group that work tirelessly to help victims of asbestos exposure and their families. HASAG was set up back in 2006 by sisters Lynne Squibb and Diane Salisbury who lost their own father to mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos at the carriage works operated by British Rail in Eastleigh near Southampton. From small beginnings this charity has grown into a huge support network covering areas including Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, East and West Sussex, London and the Home Counties to name a few.
To mark Action Mesothelioma Day (Friday 5th July), Peter and Lynn will be attending an event organised by HASAG in Portsmouth; a poignant location due to the hundreds of former civilian employees at Portsmouth Naval Dockyard who were exposed to asbestos over many years and those who worked at the local shipbuilders, Vosper Thornycroft who sadly went on to develop mesothelioma.
The event is always extremely well supported and this year sponsored butterflies will be released into hopefully sunny skies to raise much-needed funds.
Although a sad occasion as we remember those who have lost their lives to this terrible disease, it is also an opportunity to look to the future with hope as new treatments become available. Riyaz Shah, Consultant Medical Oncologist from the Kent Oncology Centre, will give an update on the latest development in clinical trials and treatments for mesothelioma patients.
Although we’ve come a long way from the days when no treatment was available for mesothelioma sufferers, there is still much to do to and with the support and tireless efforts of this wonderful group to raise awareness and funds we look optimistically to the future.
