It’s estimated that around 100,000 people die each year from asbestos exposure around the world. Of those 100,000, 2,500 to 3,000 die of asbestos cancers in the U.S. each year, one of which is mesothelioma.
Yet, few people have heard of mesothelioma. Thankfully, there are many organizations working tirelessly to raise the profile of the disease. According to asbestos.com, these organizations are continuously putting pressure on governments around the world to ban the use of asbestos and to further protect those who may come into contact with the toxic material.
Here are some of these organizations that are based in the U.S.:
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by Linda Reinstein in 2004 following her husband’s mesothelioma diagnosis. The organization aims to help anyone who has been affected by asbestos and helps to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure. It also hosts the National Asbestos Awareness Week each year and an annual national conference in California. Its “Drop the Rock” campaign is aimed at getting manufacturers to look at safer alternatives to asbestos.
MORE: How one woman turned her anger into action against asbestos.
Pacific Meso Center
The Pacific Meso Center is where researchers conduct groundbreaking studies into treatments and therapies for mesothelioma. The center also holds an annual international symposium linking mesothelioma patients with experts from around the world.
