Action Mesothelioma Day (AMD)
The UK's 2nd AMD will be marked by activities held throughout the country by asbestos victim support groups on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 including:
Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group
Balloon release in Albert Square 12:30 p.m. to raise money for mesothelioma research and treatment. Donations may be sent to GMAVSG, Windrush Millennium Centre, 70 Alexandra Road, Manchester M16 7WD.
Contact: 0161 636 7555
Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group and the Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group
Meeting at Liverpool Town Hall attended by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and the Mayor of Wirral at 12:00 noon followed by a sponsored balloon release at the rear of the Town Hall in Exchange Flags at 2 p.m. with proceeds going to mesothelioma research and treatment.
Contact: 0151 236 1895 (Merseyside) and
01928 576 641 (Cheshire)
Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST)
Asbestos meeting at Winding Wheel, Holywell Street, Chesterfield 11 a.m.-12:00 noon. Followed by a balloon release in Rykneld Square, Chesterfield at 12:30 pm; tea and coffee to follow at the Winding Wheel.
Balloon release at Leicester Town Hall at 12:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service.
Contact DAST: 01246 231 441
Sheffield and Rotherham Asbestos Group (SARAG)
Balloon release with speakers at 11 a.m. at All Saints Square, Rotherham to raise money for mesothelioma research and treatment. From February 26- March 10, there will be a SARAG display in the Central Library, Doncaster.
Contact SARAG: 0114 282 3212
Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund (MKMRF) (Newcastle)
Balloon release on Gateshead Millennium Bridge at 11 a.m. followed by refreshments.
Contact MKMRF: 0191 2630276
Ridings Asbestos Support and Awareness Group
Asbestos rally at 11 a.m. in Victoria Square, Leeds (opposite Leeds Town Hall) followed by sponsored balloon release to raise money for mesothelioma research and treatment at 12:30 p.m.
Contact: 0131 231 1010
Clydeside Action on Asbestos (Glasgow)
Details of the Glasgow event are awaited.
Contact: 0141 552 8852
In addition to these activities, a short video presentation to raise awareness of the UK mesothelioma epidemic will be shown on giant TV screens belonging to the BBC in city centres including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester. The video will be shown repeatedly throughout February 27.
On February 27, there will be a parliamentary reception from 4-6 p.m. in the Jubilee Room of the House of Commons, Westminster, hosted by Mick Clapham MP, Chair of the Asbestos Sub-Committee.
Trade union support for AMD was confirmed on February 21, 2007 when Amicus, the UK's largest private sector union, called on its 1.2 million members to commemorate the country's asbestos tragedy by staging a one minute silence on Action Mesothelioma Day. Amicus Health and Safety officer Rob Miguel said:
"Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after exposure to asbestos and because of this long delay it has been calculated that the number of UIK cases will continue to rise until 2015. At present, some 2000 people a year die from this terrifying disease in the UK and by 2050 it is anticipated that 95,000 people will have died from mesothelioma."
More information on the Amicus national asbestos databases is available from: http://www.amicustheunion.org/Default.aspx?page=4024
Public support for AMD can be expressed by signing up to the Mesothelioma Charter at: http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.uk/petition.aspx?cid=7b1d6ffa-14a5-4dbd-bc30-2351413469f4
In the run-up to AMD, on February 21, there will be an opportunity to hear about the making of the UK's most influential asbestos documentary: Alice – A Fight for Life. John Willis will talk about the problems encountered in the making of this landmark documentary and the effects it had on the UK asbestos industry. This event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ; tickets cost £7. For more information email: events@frontlineclub.com or call 0207 479 8947.
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January 25, 2007
