Posted September 21, 2021
On behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), we would like to thank all of our attendees, keynote speakers, honorees, presenters, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who participated in the 16th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference! This year’s conference, “Where Knowledge and Action Unite,” held September 17-18, marked 17 years of ADAO’s leadership in raising asbestos awareness, spearheading advocacy efforts, and fostering our united community.
For the first time ever, our conference was live streamed for free around the world. There should never be a barrier to education, especially when it comes to life-saving public health information. Making the virtual conference free was a huge step towards health equity for all, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to help our global audience participate in this way.
We are hearing rave reviews from our three events! As Terry Lynch, Vice President Emeritus, International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers (formerly Asbestos Workers Union) shared, “I thoroughly enjoyed the 2021 ADAO Virtual Conference and I thought that it was very interesting, educational and inspiring. It is immensely gratifying to see the Labor Community, Doctors, Researchers, Victims and Advocates come together in their endeavor to ban asbestos and enlighten people on the sickness and heartache that asbestos exposure can cause. I tip my hard hat to Linda and ADAO on a very successful Conference conducted under difficult conditions.”
While we work to update you on the conference proceedings, the 131 page conference program is available to you online. We expect to have session videos edited and uploaded to YouTube by October 15th.
We would like to remind everyone that Rebecca Reindel, AFL-CIO Safety and Health Director, introduced an exciting AFL-CIO new action: “Tell Congress: Working People Need the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act.” This online form allows anyone to easily send automated letters to their members of Congress in support of banning asbestos; calling for a study of legacy asbestos in homes, schools, workplaces and consumer shelves; and to improve chemical data reporting to EPA from companies who use asbestos. To submit the pre-written letter via the form, just input your information, select ‘Health’ as the letter topic, and hit ‘send letter’ and be sure to share with your friends and family too!
This year’s conference brought together over 40 presenters ranging from medical, academic and occupational experts, to asbestos victims, artists and friends of ADAO from eight countries. These presenters helped to spread awareness about asbestos, discuss recent academic and legislative news, disseminate educational/preventative resources, and work towards a ban on asbestos.
For the first time this year, we were honored to launch our film festival, “Art, Advocacy, and Shared Stories,” featuring “The Mother” by Paolo Monico, “Breathless” by Daniel Lambo, “Dirty Laundry” by Conor B. Lewis and Zack Johnson, and ADAO’s 16th Congressional Staff Briefing, “Impact of Asbestos on Public Health, Environment, and Economy.”
We are so proud and thankful for all of our experts and community members who made this amazing conference possible – your voices, stories, and commitment to an asbestos free world inspire us daily and make this event possible. And a special thanks to all of our 2021 Conference Sponsors: Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, Gold Sponsor The Gori Law Firm, and Silver Sponsor Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen, who generously support our education, advocacy and community efforts..
Though the conference is over, September is still Mesothelioma Awareness Month. For the fifth year in a row, an American flag will fly atop the U.S. Capitol building on September 26th in honor and remembrance of asbestos victims for Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This day recognizes both the victims themselves, as well as their families, and it is an honor to have a flag flown to acknowledge all those who have suffered. The ADAO community is eternally grateful for the work and advocacy of United States Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and his tireless staff. It is because of his office’s support that this monumental occasion has become a reality each year.
Together, we are making change happen.
Linda
Founded in 2004, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is the largest independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure to eliminate asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy and community initiatives. The 2021 Conference Sponsors are: Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, Gold Sponsor The Gori Law Firm, and Silver Sponsor Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen.