Join Mike’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at 1:30 via Jessica’s Facebook page.
Posted on June 22, 2021
This Saturday, June 26th is the Celebration of Life for our dear friend Mike Mattmuller, who lost his battle with Mesothelioma on April 14, 2020.
Mike was one of a kind. After being diagnosed with this horrible disease at the age of 29, Mike and his wife, Jessica, became strong advocates to ban asbestos and promote research for a cure. Mike spent an endless amount of time sharing his story at several Congressional Briefings and in meetings with the EPA. It was incredible to watch Mike convince important politicians, staffers, and lobbyists to stop their busy day for just a minute and really tune in and listen. Mike truly made a difference.
Through it all, Mike relied on his faith and family, and he always stayed positive. He and Jessica welcomed their daughter Riley Jean in June 2016. Mike said, “During the past 6 and a half years I have found my strength in my family. The dream of starting a family with my wife drove me through treatments. During the time that I was N.E.D., we bravely decided to start our family and not let the fear of this horrible disease stop us from our dreams. We had a baby girl, named Riley, that instantly stole our hearts and the hearts of many others. You see since being diagnosed, we have found an amazing silver lining in this horrible disease with the community of survivors and caregivers.”
Mike made a huge impact on the greater ADAO community. He was a Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) ambassador from 2014-2020, and was both an honoree and a speaker at our 2017 international asbestos awareness conference. ADAO personally was honored to give the Alan Reinstein Award in 2017 for his commitment to asbestos and mesothelioma education, advocacy, and personal support. The award goes to someone who has made an invaluable impact in the fight against asbestos.
We remember Mike one year after his death and every day. I am so grateful to have met someone like Mike who made an impact on every person he touched. My heart goes out to Jessica and Riley Jean, and Mike’s family and friends. I am looking into our future, to a world where there is a complete and total ban of asbestos and no one has to know the pain Mike, Jessica, and so many of us have felt. But I have no doubt in my mind that Mike’s light will continue to shine on. We will never forget him. If you would like to honor his memory and work, please donate on his memorial page at this link.
In loving memory,
Linda Reinstein