Action Meso Day 2022
04/07/2022.3.00pm.
PRESS RELEASE NO EMBARGO TIME. MP JOINS ASBESTOS CAMPAIGNERS TO SAVE NATIONAL DWP OFFICE.
Action Mesothelioma (Meso) Day (AMD) Merseyside held by Local asbestos campaigners, MP’s, clinicians, and sufferers of asbestos related diseases met last Friday to remember those who have lost their lives to the diseases. A Spirit Of Hope dove release at St. Nicholas’s Parish Church Garden seen the children of Sacred Heart Primary School, New Brighton join in the annual ceremony (pictured).
The event was followed by speakers including Professor Judy Coulson, of the University of Liverpool, speaking on research and her laboratory’s Hen’s Egg project which has attracted national interest by fellow researchers working on new treatments in finding a cure for mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos. She said “It is an honour to have been invited to talk at this year’s Merseyside’s Action Mesothelioma Day, and I am looking forward to continuing to share our research ideas with the attendees in the future”
Also speaking was Nurse Alison Hassall from the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre who reported on the latest trials for mesothelioma including immunotherapy and Nivolumab. She said “The Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery (MARS 2) study had not yet been reported as follow up had been extended. BEAT MESO are looking at chemotherapy plus Mono clonal anti body with or without Immunotherapy which has recently closed for recruitment as the target had been met. Patients are still having ongoing treatment and it will be interesting to see the outcome of both studies.” She added
“Although we have no active treatment trials open at The Clatterbridge Centre we link in with Christies in Manchester and Professor Fennel in Leicester, If patients are keen to explore clinical trials.
We are hoping to open an observational study; ASSESS MESO looking at what is currently happening in the Standard Of Care (SOC ) settings. Additional blood samples may be required if patients’ consent.”
The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Jeff Green said “it is shocking to note that In Britain, more than 2,500 people die from mesothelioma every year because of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure also counts for approximately 2500 deaths from Asbestos related lung cancer and while the deadly material has been banned in the UK since 1999, it still lurks in at least half a million buildings constructed before that year, posing huge risks to anyone who comes into contact with it. He added “I am delighted to be here today supporting groups, charities and other organisations and individuals coming together who are calling for more awareness of the dangers of asbestos. The main focus of today is to raise awareness of the urgent need for research in to finding a cure for mesothelioma and to raise awareness that this is still a danger to those working or studying in buildings with asbestos today.”
Kim Johnson MP for Liverpool Riverside said “I am very concerned at the closure of the Barrow in Furness DWP office which provides people suffering with the asbestos-related terminal conditions of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos and asbestos related lung cancer. The Barrow office is one of the many DWP specialist advice centres which has provided expertise with experienced staff in fast tracking claims for people with these insidious diseases.”
She added “ People on Merseyside are still suffering the dire legacy of our industrial past with many factories and the local shipbuilding industry having used asbestos for decades before it was banned only in 1999. This is not a disease of the past as there are over 5,000 deaths per year from the deadly dust. I call on the government to think again about their plans to close DWP offices and in particular Barrow as well as Toxteth and St John’s in my Liverpool Riverside constituency. ”
The event was organised by the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group (MAVSG) (Registered Charity 1178374). The charity can be contacted on 0151 236 1895.
MAVS supporter Chris Ingram, editor of Unionsafety website produced the photos and video of the day’s event.