24
2011
ASBESTOSLEGALCENTER.ORG GOES TO CAPITAL HILL TO REQUEST MORE FUNDING FOR MESOTHELIOMA CURE RESEARCH
June 23, 2011. Washington D.C. – AsbestosLegalCenter.org attorney and radio public safety advocate, Raymond D. Mueller, accompanied by 12 people personally affected by mesothelioma from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, met with representatives of California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer on Capital Hill today, requesting the Senators support legislation authorizing more money for mesothelioma research aimed at finding a cure for the deadly disease.
Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Many of those diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos serving in the United States Armed Forces, or were exposed to asbestos performing construction and trade work. It is estimated that 40% of the American labor force, or an estimated 27 million people, were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1980. This large population is considered at risk for developing Mesothelioma. Researchers indicate that approximately 600 – 1000 Armed Forces veterans die every year from Mesothelioma. Many of these individuals served in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Mueller asked the Senators from his home state to support legislation creating an annual dedicated funding stream of 5 million dollars.
“We lose 600 to 1000 veterans every year as a result of mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos in the military. If it were a human enemy killing so many of our nation’s heros, we would spend far more than 5 million dollars to try and save them. How many veterans will our government allow to die in the future, before we start funding research at an adequate level to confront this disease?”, Mr. Mueller said.
Mr. Mueller was accompanied to Capital Hill by a U.S. Navy veteran mesothelioma patient, his wife, and the families of those who have lost loved ones to the disease.
