Action Mesothelioma Day marked by SW Mesothelioma Support Group
On 1st July 2016, members and friends of the South West Mesothelioma Support Group gathered together in Plymouth to mark Action Mesothelioma Day.
The annual event, which is held throughout the UK, was started in 2006 by the British Lung Foundation as a way of raising awareness and to improve the treatment & care of those diagnosed with the asbestos related cancer which most commonly affects the lining of the lungs. It is also a day to remember loved ones whilst paying tribute to all those people past and present who have been affected by this devastating disease.
The UK has one of the world’s highest incidence rates of mesothelioma with more than 2,500 people being diagnosed each year and this figure is on the rise.
There is no cure for mesothelioma and in contrast to many other cancers, treatments available to patients are currently very limited. It is estimated that there will be 60,000 to 75,000 further cases of mesothelioma in the UK over the next 30 years, however, despite this figure, research is still disproportionately under funded compared to other cancers which kill a similar number of people.
The event, which was held at the Fillamore Room at Saltram House, was very well attended and supported by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Pauline Murphy. The South West Mesothelioma Group has been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from her year in office, along with Frontline Veterans Support.
She stated that she was proud to attend the ceremony and hoped that her involvement would help raise much needed awareness as the disease was rife in the city.
Due to Plymouth’s history of ship building where asbestos was extensively used in industry, a cluster of mesothelioma cases have emerged over the years. Around 60 people in Devon and Cornwall are diagnosed with the condition every year. Angela Agnew attended the ceremony with family members in honour of her Dad William Symons who died from mesothelioma in August 2012. She stated;
‘In a sense, it is extremely sad to see the event so well attended year after year as it is a reflection on how many people in Plymouth and the South West continue to be blighted by this terrible disease. We were devastated when my Dad died from mesothelioma not long after his retirement. Although we knew he had been exposed to asbestos whilst working as a shipwright in the local dockyard, it never crossed our minds that he would die because of it. No-one deserves such a cruel fate simply because they worked hard to provide for their family. We are still bitter about Dad’s passing due to the fact that mesothelioma is a totally preventable cancer. As members of the South West Mesothelioma Group we are, therefore, extremely passionate about spreading awareness regarding the dangers of asbestos. If that results in just one other family not having to go through the pain and turmoil we did, then Dad didn’t die in vain.’
Those who attended the event enjoyed cream teas and partook in a raffle which raised £140. They then gathered together at the memorial tree to listen to a speech by Plymouth’s new Specialist Mesothelioma Nurse Christine Jones who has been funded by Mesothelioma UK. After a dove release, flowers were laid in memory of loved ones during which a moving tribute was sung by members of Halfway Harmony who have generously supported the group since fellow choir member Mike Cramp passed away from the disease.
Specialist Asbestos Solicitors Novum Law sponsored the dove release. Director Andrew Stinchcombe stated;
'I am proud that Novum law was able to sponsor the dove release at Saltram House to commemorate Mesothelioma Action Day. Every year the event is supported by relatives and friends of mesothelioma victims and helps not only to remember those who have been lost but also to raise awareness of the asbestos disease that still affects Plymouth and the South West so enormously.’
Wally Wright who was diagnosed with mesothelioma just over four years ago and is doing well, stated that although poignant in places the event was very uplifting and enjoyable with plenty of good natured banter amongst friends. He was especially grateful to the Lord Mayor for her interest and involvement in respect of the charity and hoped that as a result, more awareness could be raised throughout the region regarding the issue of asbestos in schools.
Calls for the government to remove asbestos from all schools and colleges have recently been stepped by asbestos awareness groups throughout the UK following the recent death of ex primary school teacher Sue Stephens. Her daughter Lucie Stephens has launched a petition calling for the phased removal of asbestos from schools by 2028, which has already received thousands of signatures.The issue was recently highlighted by the South West Mesothelioma Support Group in their 2016 charity calendar in association with the iPlymouth photography group.
Christine Jones stated;
'I would like to thank everyone who attended our ceremony to mark Action Mesothelioma Day, not only to honour the memory of those we have lost but to support the current sufferers and their families as they live with the legacy of this awful disease. We are also grateful to the staff at Saltram whose efforts helped make the event such a special occasion. The South West Mesothelioma Support Group and myself would like to extend a warm welcome to anyone who wishes to join us in our endeavour to raise awareness of this preventable disease.’
Anyone wanting more information about the support group can contact Christine on 01752 763665 or at plh-tr.mesothelioma-nurses@nhs.net.
Alternatively, anyone who would like to help raise funds for the charity is welcome to attend the 'Mayor’s Charities Skittles and Pasty Night’ on Friday 29th July at Plymouth’s BT Social Club. The evening commences at 7.30pm and tickets cost £5.00. For more information contact Wally Wright on 01752 601750.
