Posted on March 30, 2021
2021 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || Day THREE – April 3rd: Asbestos Awareness Fueled by Art and Advocacy from Judd Apatow and Earl Dotter
Day THREE: Remembering Warren Zevon (USA) — Read his story “My Hero, the World’s Hero”
Featured Video: “Asbesto: El asesino que no puedes ver”
Press Release (Spanish): La «Organización de Concienciación sobre la Enfermedad del Amianto» (ADAO, por sus siglas en inglés) lanza su «17.a Semana Mundial de Concienciación sobre el Amianto» del 1 al 7 de abril del 2021
Press Release (Spanish): La “Organización de Concientización Sobre la Enfermedad del Asbesto” (ADAO, por sus siglas en inglés) lanza su “Décimo Quinta (15ª) Semana Mundial de Concientización Sobre el Asbesto” del 1ro. al 7 de abril de 2019.
Each year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates April 1-7 to increasing awareness of asbestos and preventing exposure by bringing together experts and victims from around the world to share, learn, and take action. To view all 7 days of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) content, please click here. Be sure to follow the conversation on social media with our GAAW hashtag: #2021GAAW.
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, and there is no safe level of exposure. While promising research continues, prevention remains the only cure.
Today, on day three of GAAW, we are highlighting asbestos awareness fueled by the art and advocacy of Hollywood’s Judd Apatow and artist Earl Dotter. Today will also feature the story of musician Warren Zevon, “My Hero, The World’s Hero” who left a legacy of work when he passed away from mesothelioma. 
ADAO has been using art to drive advocacy since our founding in 2004. Sharing stories of those directly affected by asbestos is at the heart of the work ADAO does, helping us to translate the stories of victims and expertise of scholars into memorable and tangible experiences. Over the years, we have been fortunate to partner with some phenomenal artists who use their talents to advance prevention policy efforts to eliminate all asbestos-caused diseases.
In 2020, award-winning screenwriter and director Judd Apatow honored Warren Zevon, a musician who sadly passed away from mesothelioma, by releasing the exclusive record, “Warren Zevon’s Greatest Hits (According to Judd Apatow).” The record was sold during “Record Store Day,” with a portion of proceeds benefiting ADAO’s art, advocacy, and education efforts.
“Warren Zevon’s honesty, wit, and storytelling has been a major inspiration in my work,” Apatow wrote for the album’s liner notes. “He is my north star. He reminds me to go deep. His music is fun, dark, and deeply emotional all at the same time. His music is always such an inspiration to me because it’s so emotional and honest and funny, and it’s just the tone I’m always trying to hit. So I owe so much to him. He really has such a gigantic influence.”
This record and collaboration was made possible through the work of Warren’s son, Jordan, who is also ADAO’s spokesperson.
Acclaimed photojournalist Earl Dotter has created an ever-evolving photo exhibit, “BADGES: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers,” memorializing the asbestos workers of the 20th century and honoring the legacy of famed asbestos treatment pioneer, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff. Earl’s traveling exhibit presents the photo ID badges worn by the countless workers who were exposed to asbestos in mining, manufacturing and product use. These ID badges unabashedly name the companies that harmed asbestos victims.
We have brought Earl’s posters to Harvard and George Washington Universities, the AFL-CIO and to Congress to show the human lives affected by asbestos and the lack of a ban. As a photojournalist, Earl is able to capture the impact of asbestos in a way that many can understand, and his work masterfully captures the health impact and injustice of asbestos exposure.
When we partner for prevention and get creative, we make change happen!
We are excited to announce that registration for our 16th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference will be opening in May 2021! The conference will be virtual this year, and we are excited to share this event with viewers around the world to spread statistics, facts, and educational materials from leading asbestos experts and victims. Remember: when it comes to asbestos, learning truly does save lives.
Thank you to our Partner for Prevention Guillermo Villamizar for representing Colombia during GAAW. Guillermo works with Fundación Colombia Libre de Asbesto (Colombia asbestos Free Foundation). Find out more on their website.
Linda
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