FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January, 13, 2011 

ADAO’s 7th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference, April 1- 3: Linda Rae Murray, M.D. MPH, Keynote Speaker

President of the American Public Health Association and Cook County CMO Shares 40 Years of Public Health Care Advocacy Expertise  

Redondo Beach, CA. – The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) combining education, advocacy and community as a leading asbestos victims voice worldwide, announced that Linda Rae Murray, M.D., MPH, President of the American Public Health Association and Chief Medical Officer of Cook County, IL Ambulatory & Community Health Network, will be the keynote speaker at the seventh annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference in Atlanta, GA, April 1 – 3, 2011. The ADAO conference is made possible with the support and collaborative efforts of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI. 

For more than 40 years, Dr. Murray has served as a voice for social justice and a strong advocate for health care as a basic right for all people. She currently serves as the President of the American Public Health Association and Chief Medical Officer for the Cook County Department of Public Health of the Cook County Health & Hospital System, the state certified public health agency for suburban Cook County. She practices as a general internist at Woodlawn Health Center, is an attending physician in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Cook County Hospital, and is an adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois School of Public Health (Occupational & Environmental Health and the Health Policy & Administration Departments.) 

“We are truly honored to have Dr. Murray as this year’s conference keynote speaker,” said Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and co-founder of ADAO. “Dr. Murray’s commitment to quality healthcare opportunities for all and her work in occupational and environmental medicine is aligned with ADAO’s mission – a world free of asbestos and asbestos-related diseases.”  

The ADAO international conference brings together renowned doctors, scientists, researchers, public health representatives and most importantly, asbestos victims and their families – in a united forum to enhance asbestos awareness, education and collaboration. 

“It’s estimated that more than 107,000 people will die this year from asbestos-related diseases. As long as asbestos continues to be used in our country and across the globe, we cannot stop educating the public about asbestos exposure and fighting for its universal ban.”   

ADAO’s mission is to provide the most advanced medical, occupational and environmental information available about asbestos-related diseases to individuals throughout the world. Conference presentations will focus on preventing exposure, advances in diagnosing and treating asbestos-related diseases, providing patient resources, and a global advocacy session. For a complete list of conference events or to register, visit www.adao.us.  

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004.   ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy and community. ADAO’s mission includes supporting global advocacy and advancing asbestos awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and resources for asbestos-related disease. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for nearly 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, Karmanos is among the nation’s best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Karmanos is southeastern Michigan’s most preferred hospital for cancer care according to annual surveys conducted by the National Research Corporation. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute’s president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Doug Larkin, 202.391.1546
Asbestos Disease Awareness Association            
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org

Patricia A. Ellis, 313.576.8629
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
ellisp@karmanos.org