Support group marks Action Mesothelioma Day
On 3 July 2015, patients, relatives and friends gathered together at a moving ceremony at Saltram House in Plymouth to mark Action Mesothelioma Day. The special event was organised by the South West Mesothelioma Support Group (SWMSG), based at the Macmillan Mustard Tree Centre at Derriford Hospital.
The ‘Action Mesothelioma’ campaign was started in 2006 by the British Lung Foundation and is held every year across the UK on the first Friday in July. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by breathing in asbestos dust. There is currently no cure and more than 9 out of every 10 people die within 3 years of diagnosis.
In a radio interview to highlight Action Mesothelioma Day, Dean Cruickshanks from Wolferstans Solicitors said; ‘468 men have died in Plymouth as result of Mesothelioma over a 20 year period. The city’s known as a hotspot for asbestos related disease and the official figures which cover deaths between 1981 and 2011 may understate the true picture. That’s because it can take decades to develop and some who came into contact with asbestos here may have moved away by the time symptoms show.’
Research into mesothelioma is disproportionately underfunded in comparison to diseases that kill a similar number of people, such as skin cancer. Over the next 30 years an estimated 60,000 people will tragically die from mesothelioma unless more research is undertaken.
Mesothelioma alone sadly claims the lives of over 2,500 people in the UK every year and someone dies every 5 hours from an asbestos related disease.
Sarah Earl, Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist said during her speech;
'Action Mesothelioma Day is an important date to raise awareness about this challenging disease and the dangers of asbestos exposure. It is also an opportunity to come together to support all those people affected and to remember those who have died from it in the South West. We also use this day to call for better treatment and care for mesothelioma patients and to ban the export of asbestos to developing countries.’
This year, the event was attended by Halfway Harmony who sang and presented a donation of £560 to the group of behalf of choir and SWMSG member Mike Cramp who sadly passed away on 3 June 2015. The money was raised through the Lions sponsored New Years Day dip at Cawsand.
Sarah Earl thanked the choir for raising such a fantastic amount. She also passed on her appreciation to all those who had helped with fundraising over the year or had given donations in memory of loved ones as without such generosity the group would find it difficult to continue providing support to both patients and carers and continue spreading awareness.
She advised that money raised by the group was also used for research into the management and treatment of mesothelioma and the purchase of equipment which helped services support patients with mesothelioma across the South West.
A raffle was held at the event which raised an additional £117 towards funds. Those who attended the event also enjoyed cream teas and gathered at the memorial tree to watch a dove release and lay flowers in memory of their loved ones.
Andrew Stinchcombe Partner at Novum Law commented: 'We were proud to sponsor the dove release and will continue to support those families who have seen for themselves the devastating effects of this dreadful disease and the asbestos legacy in the UK.’
The Cedar of Lebanon memorial tree was planted by Jackie Lowe in 2008 as a tribute in memory of mesothelioma patients and families past, present and future. Jackie lost her father Roger to mesothelioma and since then, the tree has grown just like the support group. Snowdrops have been planted around the tree and have been adopted by the group for their logo and also as a symbol of hope.
The SWMSG would like to thank everyone at Saltram who helped make the event such a special occasion and also Redrok for sponsoring the group’s banner and Jamie Quinn who helped design it.
Anyone wanting more information about the group can contact Sarah Earl on 01752 763665 or plh-tr.mesothelioma-nurses@nhs.net
