This September 26 marks the 23rd year of Mesothelioma Awareness Day. It's a day to raise awareness of mesothelioma cancer and encourage research funding. In 2010, Congress officially recognized this observance.
Started in 2004 by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, this day offers many opportunities to get involved. Participants can attend events, donate or come together to share experiences and connect.
Supporters include patients, loved ones, researchers, doctors and survivors. Groups working toward a cure often provide social and financial support, too.
The Importance of Mesothelioma Awareness Day
The main goal of Mesothelioma Awareness Day is to teach people about this cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Raising awareness is important for many reasons.
- Awareness can lead some people to an earlier diagnosis. Catching mesothelioma early may offer the best prognosis.
- Greater awareness of asbestos dangers can help people avoid exposure. This may lower their risk of developing mesothelioma.
- The disease’s long latency period can make diagnosis difficult. In general, mesothelioma develops 10 – 50 years after exposure. Knowing this can help people track their exposure history.
- This cancer can affect many people. More than 20 million people in the United States are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Spreading awareness can help reach people who might not otherwise consider their asbestos exposure history or watch for symptoms.
Mesothelioma Awareness Day also raises money for important research. This funding helps doctors and scientists find better ways to diagnose and treat this cancer. These efforts provide hope and may improve patient survival or quality of life.
How to Take Part in Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Mesothelioma Awareness Day offers many ways to get involved and support the cause. Some people join walks or fundraisers. Others connect with the community or share their support online. However you take part, your efforts help the mesothelioma community.
Here are some ways to get involved:
- Attend virtual or in-person events. Throughout September, organizations host events to teach people more about mesothelioma. If there isn’t an in-person event near you, check out a virtual one instead.
- Contact local media. Ask local outlets to cover your community’s Mesothelioma Awareness Day events.
- Donate. Giving to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation helps fund mesothelioma research.
- Dress in blue. Show support for the mesothelioma community and help raise awareness by wearing blue.
- Get a state proclamation. You can ask your state to declare September 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
- Join a fundraiser. Check to see if any fundraising walks or other events are happening in your area on this day. If not, consider attending a virtual fundraiser.
- Post on social media. Share photos and stories with the hashtag #curemeso to spread awareness. Follow Mesothelioma.com and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation for information, graphics and stories you can share.
- Share your story. Mesothelioma can affect anyone. Telling your story helps challenge assumptions about who it impacts. Join the #MoreThanMeso campaign to take part.
- Visit a Light the World Blue landmark. Buildings across the country light up blue to raise awareness. Keep an eye out in your area. You can also submit a request yourself for a local site to light up blue.
Want more information? Check out the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation website.
Why Mesothelioma Awareness Day Matters
Mesothelioma Awareness Day supports people affected by this disease. It also helps spread the word and raise money for research. Taking part shows care for the community and helps bring progress toward a cure.
Free Mesothelioma Treatment Guide
Tara Strand specializes in writing content about mesothelioma and asbestos. She focuses on topics like mesothelioma awareness, research, treatment, asbestos trust funds and other advocacy efforts.
