Raising awareness of Mesothelioma

Action Mesothelioma Day is taking place on Friday, February 27 with an event at Quad on Derby Market Place between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos which often occurs at work.

Campaign groups are trying to raise awareness of the fatal disease in the quest to find a cure and are this year pressuring the government to establish an asbestos
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- related disease research centre.

Margaret Bailey, from the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team, said: "My father, who was a maintenance engineer, died of mesothelioma following exposure at work. It was a distressing and painful condition.

"Following diagnosis, there are usually only a few months left to live.

"To date almost every pennyspent on research has come from families like mine who have been affected by the disease.

"I urge you to write to your MP or contact our team and ask to sign the
petition calling for the research centre. "

It is estimated that 60,000 people will be affected by the disease over the next 40 years and, at the moment, the only money being spent on research is donated by members of the public.

For more information, to book your place on the action day in Derby or to make a donation, please contact the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team on 01623 748161.