On March 30-April 1, we (on behalf of Mesothelioma News and its sponsoring law firm Baron and Budd) attended the Eighth Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference hosted by the non-profit Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). Each year, this incredible conference brings together amazing medical experts, asbestos prevention advocates, mesothelioma patients and families. By raising a unified voice, ADAO is dedicated to raising awareness, educating people about asbestos and calling for an international asbestos ban (did you know that asbestos isn't banned in the U.S.?).
The centerpiece of this year's ADAO conference was the tribute to silver screen legend Steve McQueen, who lost his battle to mesothelioma in 1980. His widow, Barbara Minty McQueen, accepted the Warren Zevon "Keep Me in Your Heart" Memorial Tribute Award on her late husband's behalf.
Known as the "King of Cool," McQueen was a legend of the silver screen through much of the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in such classic films as "The Great Escape," "Bullit," "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Thomas Crown Affair." McQueen was also known as an avid motorcycle and race car enthusiast, but, despite leading a healthy and active lifestyle, he lost his life to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma does not have boundaries. It does not discriminate. It can claim the life of anyone who happens to come in contact with asbestos. McQueen isn't the first celebrity to be felled by mesothelioma. It only takes small (and somewhat unexpected) amount of exposure to be at risk for mesothelioma. In McQueen's instance, his stint in the military likely brought him into contact with the deadly material.
Some other celebrities who suffered from mesothelioma are: football legend, TV personality and actor Merlin Olsen; musician Warren Zevon, actor Paul Gleason and Navy Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt.
As stated at the conference, Barbara McQueen plans to advocate for asbestos awareness and will work with ADAO and help in the global fight against asbestos.
Baron and Budd is a proud 2012 platinum sponsor of ADAO. Learn more about mesothelioma lawyers.
