The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) on 3rd April announced their Annual ‘Meso March in May’ to mark Global Asbestos Awareness Week. The march will be organized to raise consciousness about the dangers of asbestos and raise funds to support the work of the ADRI.

Australia is one of the countries which has the highest occurrence of malignant mesothelioma per unit of population. Each year at least more than 700 new cases are diagnosed every year as a result of the large-scale use of asbestos in various ranges of products. If interrupted, these asbestos-made products release asbestos fibers into the air. If a person inhales this air, it can lead to malignant mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, larynx cancer, lung cancer, benign pleural disease, and asbestosis.

On 5th May, Sunday, Sandie Foreman, a 60-year-old victim of mesothelioma will be leading the supporters in Meso March in May of ADRI. It will be a circuit walk of 4.5 kilometers around Concord.

Sandie hadn’t worked with any products with asbestos-containing material. She was exposed to asbestos fibers unknowingly at her workplace. In 2016, her life took a turn forever when she got diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma when an abnormal X-ray report showed a small lesion on her left lung.

She said that she didn’t have any respiratory symptoms and exercise was part of her routine. She also added that she lived a somewhat healthy lifestyle and no one in her family had a history of lung cancer or any other type of cancer. She hopes that in Meso March in May, people will join her in marching for a cure. It will build greater awareness among the community about the dangers of asbestos.

Director of ADRI, Professor Kan Takahashi said that in 2003 asbestos was banned across Australia. However, the statistic still shows that Australia has the world’s highest rate of mesothelioma demise per capita.
REGISTER HERE FOR ‘MESO MARCH IN MAY’: