Posted on June 18, 2018
My sorrow is deep as I share the news that Andy Igrejas, National Campaign Director and longtime executive director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF), died peacefully on Saturday.
Please join me in remembering the life of this great man.
As many friends and colleagues may know, Andy had been bravely fighting cancer for more than a year. In 2016, Andy was diagnosed with 
glioblastoma, the same type of brain cancer Senator John McCain is battling. I have to say, it feels like salt in the wound that someone who dedicated his life’s work to fighting against cancer and other exposure-related diseases should suffer such an insidious disease. But Andy fought hard and passed away with his partner, Susan, friends, and family by his side.
Andy and I have worked closely together for many years. SCHF has been one of ADAO’s strongest supporters, often teaming up on campaigns and projects. But Andy was so much more than a colleague and collaborator; he was a friend. Anyone who had the good fortune of meeting Andy probably considers him a friend — he was just that kind of guy, Good to the core, and that goodness emanated from him. It was impossible to not like Andy. You truly couldn’t meet someone kinder or more committed to being a force for good in this world. My heart is truly broken at this loss.
I met Andy probably 10 years ago in Washington, D.C. at a stakeholder meeting I was attending with late ADAO co-founder Doug Larkin. I knew he was special from the start, a calculated gentle giant. Though soft spoken, he was powerful and had a way of engaging a room when he spoke. With his sharp mind, he was a blessing at the numerous Congressional staff briefings and meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Andy joined me at.
SFHC and Andy have always been ready to stand by ADAO’s side, even when the going got tough. We have stood tall together in the face of insurmountable challenges. Last year, SCHF began suing the EPA to stop them from diluting important toxics regulation laws.
In 2016, Andy accepted the Tribute of Inspiration Award award on behalf of his phenomenal organization at ADAO’s 13th Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference. It was a true honor to recognize an organization and a team of leaders so dedicated to making the world a safer place for all of us. But that’s truly what Andy was all about.
Rep. Frank Pallone of Andy’s home state of New Jersey recognized Andy in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in March of 2018, crediting Andy and SFHC for being instrumental in the reform process for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
“The work to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act began in earnest in 2009, when the major stakeholders published principles for reform. It was that year that Andy organized the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition to create a unified voice for health, environmental, and labor organizations interested in advancing chemical policy reform,” Rep. Pallone said.
When negotiations had seemed impossible, SFHC organized a campaign to remove toxins at the retail level, and Pallone said this effort helped push industry to stay at the table, working for a comprehensive federal program.
“I want to thank Andy for his bold thinking, tireless efforts, and strategic counsel to me and my staff, without which many of the public health and environmental improvements in the Lautenberg TSCA would not have been possible,” Rep. Pallone said.
Andy will be remembered, no doubt, for the incredible work he achieved with SCHF, and his legacy will live on in the important work the organization will continue to do under its new executive director, and Andy’s close friend, Liz Hitchcock. But Andy will also be remembered for the friendship he gave, and the love he shared.
A friend, Ivan Frishberg, visited Andy toward the end and noted the intensity and purpose still in his eyes, but more than that, his love for his partner, Susan.
“No one should have to go through this struggle. Everyone should have the chance to feel this kind of love,” Ivan wrote.
Damn it — I hate cancer — but everyone can bet we will renew our strength in honor of Andy and keep working, as he did, to make the world a safer place.
In unity and grief,
Linda Reinstein