Asbestos cancer Action Day

Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer. There is no cure. It’s only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Symptoms usually occur 10-50 years after exposure to the deadly mineral. 

In the UK, almost 2000 people die from mesothelioma each year. This trend is expected to increase until 2020. The TUC have estimated that for every mesothelioma death there are 1-2 asbestos related lung cancer deaths.

Victims are not limited to those who worked in asbestos production or heavy industries, such as shipbuilding, where asbestos was widely used. 

Mesothelioma does not discriminate on race, class or gender. The cancer has killed housewives that once washed their husband’s overalls as well as university lecturers, school teachers, entertainers, electricians, miners, dock workers, plumbers, secretaries, doctors and even managers who have worked in offices for the asbestos industry.

In the UK, it is estimated that more people die of asbestos related disease than from road traffic accidents.

Yet there is no government funding for research to find a cure.

Worldwide, 100,000 people die each year from asbestos related disease.

Such facts have compelled the British Lung Foundation to organise an “Action Day on Mesothelioma” to create a greater awareness of the disease.

Details of Action on Mesothelioma Day were announced by Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation at last month’s Parliamentary Asbestos subcommittee. This meeting at Westminster was attended by local MP’s Paul Rowen and Jim Dobbin together with Jason Addy of the Save Spodden Valley campaign - as reported on Rochdale Online at:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/News/spodden_news.asp?ID=1294

Rochdale holds significant records regarding asbestos:

The Turner Brothers Asbestos (TBA) was one of the world’s first modern asbestos factories. First producing asbestos in the early 1870’s, the Spodden Valley saw production end only in the 1990’s. Until 1948, the Rochdale offices of TBA controlled the decisions of its world-wide business operations.

The world’s first Asbestosis death was of a young Rochdale TBA worker - Nellie Kershaw in 1924. TBA recognised that asbestos worker William Pennington died of mesothelioma in 1936.  Richard Doll, the epidemiologist who confirmed the link between smoking and lung cancer, discovered that Rochdale asbestos workers had a greatly increased risk of lung cancer. TBA archives show that the company attempted to suppress these findings.

The TBA Rochdale offices were also home to the Asbestosis Research Institute whose work was used to lobby for the continued use of asbestos.

The British Lung Foundation’s Action on Mesothelioma Day is to be held on Monday 27 February. The Lord Mayor of Manchester has given an open invitation to mark the day at the Mayor’s Parlour, Manchester Town Hall. There is to be a photo call on the steps of the Town Hall from 12.30pm.

For anyone from Rochdale who needs help with transport to Manchester, Save Spodden Valley campaigners are driving to the event. Volunteers to help with transport are very welcome. Please contact Jason Addy on 01706 644774.
 

International Asbestos Memorial for Rochdale

It has just been confirmed that Rochdale Council have agreed to a permanent International Asbestos Memorial close to Rochdale Town Hall.

The memorial, believed to be the first of its kind is due to be unveiled for Workers Memorial Day on 28 April. This is the fulfilment of a promise made by Paul Rowen and Lorna Fitzsimons at last year’s Workers Memorial Day as reported on Rochdale Online at: 

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/News/spodden_news.asp?ID=577

Nellie Kershaw lies in an unmarked grave in Rochdale Cemetery.  At long last, a simple stone will mark the fact that Nellie, and the further countless victims of asbestos related disease, worldwide, will not be forgotten.