Kathleen Mullen is a personal film about asbestos mesothelioma in the "spirit" experience

Kathleen Mullen began to make a documentary film as a personal tribute to her father, as a way to honor and remember about his life.

She graduated from the film as an indictment of industry, who killed him — and the Government, which allowed it to happen.

Conversion is a bridge between the two — it makes the "Exciting," so powerful.

Richard Mullen, her father died in 2003, mesothelioma, cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. He spent 40 years as an engineer, often inspecting oil pipes where he unknowingly inhaling asbestos fibers.

"I wanted to do something with a personal perspective, something from the heart," she told Asbestos.com. "But the more research I did, the more I realized: this is not a family problem, this is a global problem, people around the world. It really inspired me to tell the whole story. "

43-minute film is a love hate relationship, filled with touching, daughter father memories together with a harsh, cold reality on offensive business asbestos and deadly path, it still takes.

The film can be seen free 26 September at 6: 30 pm EST via a live streaming at asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

"I am proud of this movie are very proud that she is out there for people to see," said Mullen, who is the Director of programming at the planet in focus, Toronto-based annual film festival dedicated to environmental issues. "This was a gift, really shocking indeed, how many people we met during the filming, which are affected by this disease."

In the course of its work Kathleen traveled to Arizona, where her father originally lived in the home in British Columbia, Quebec, where it is today, asbestos, and then to India, where asbestos is being sold and widely used for construction of affordable housing.

The film includes personal photos and home movies, which her father was diagnosed in 2001 year. It includes footage of their legal testimony against industry before he died and Frank, a touch of discussions with him and his wife, as he battled illness to the end.

With her camera she toured as underground and open-air of asbestos mines, say people who worked there, listening to conflicting stories about security and the need for their jobs. She spoke with those he was killing and with those who is proud of its use. Canadian Government officials that allow the extraction of asbestos continue, refused to be part of its film.

In India, she met with the people, against imports of asbestos and those who buy for the manufacturing sector, despite its toxic history.  She watched the harvest of asbestos and the end result of its use.

Previous screenings of the film were implemented with the active support and sometimes vigorous debate. One survey in Toronto, was a member of the asbestos lobby, who came from Montreal just to be heard.

"It was interesting, when he spoke. It really energized people, "she said. "It's good to learn how to feel other side to know where it comes from."

He took Mullen for five years to make the film, which was first aired almost a year ago. In it, she moved deftly experience first-person account of a third person she saw moving from emotional to dispassionate basis of the film.

In accordance with the most recent statistics from the World Health Organization estimates that every year 90000 people have died from asbestos related disease. Nevertheless, the Government of Canada continues to enable the extraction and export of asbestos, even if its use at the national level are virtually non-existent.

The dangers of asbestos documented for more than 50 years. And its use in the United States and Canada has declined sharply since the late 70 's, when the rules.  Many industrialized countries have banned its use in new products, but not every country has a rigid positions. This is one of the reasons that Mullen still feels the need to tell the story of his father. Not only for him but for everyone in the world could suffer the same fate.

"One of our driving force as we came to an end, was to ask the company for what they are doing so far," she said. "I don't know if we can make a difference, but I know that we can try".

To learn more about the dangers of exposure to asbestos, and the place where the impact is a question, get a free copy of the mesothelioma Center information package. Package includes free books on asbestos and mesothelioma cancer disease, as well as information about doctors and cancer centers to treat the disease. Fill out this form to get your free package.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 29, 2011, 3: 39 pm and is filed under asbestos, asbestos litigation, exposure, mesothelioma, resources. Can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Forensic sculptor Frank Bender last known victims of mesothelioma

Frank Bender, who found fame as a forensic sculptor with his knack for identifying victims of violent crimes and help capture criminals, was the last famous American die of mesothelioma.

Bender, who lived and worked in Philadelphia, died earlier this month after a year-long battle with pleural mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Its impact has been attributed to his stint in the NAVY for almost 50 years ago, when he often worked in the engine room of the ship.

Bender joined the growing group of reputable mesothelioma victims, who include actor Steve McQueen, musician Warren Zevon, Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen and former head of the White House staff Hamilton Jordan.

The ability to recreate a person of unknown Bender, discarded the skull – providing closure for families – and sculpt new faces from long-ago photos to assist investigators in criminal cases, became legendary in the forensic business.

He often described themselves as "recomposer from decomposed, '' which is the title of the upcoming movie about his life. Already have a book, "the girl with the crooked nose, '' written about him and his work in Mexico, where he again faces eight women killed in a series of murders. Three of the eight were subsequently identified from his work.

His most famous work was his adjustment time sculpture of John list, a New Jersey man who killed his family, and then disappeared in the year 1971. In 1989, working with old photos, he's graceful hands bust, he thought a list would look something like 18 years later, and he was shown on "America's most wanted" television show.  A woman looks at the Virginia recognized the man as a neighbor with a different name and called authorities. The list was arrested and convicted of murder.

Most of the 50 busts, which he sculpted for the police over the years came from the skulls, which had been sent to him in hopes of identifying victims of murders after dental records, DNA and fingerprints did not work.

Bender helped start famous Vidocq society in Philadelphia. This is an informal group of retirees and some retired investigators who meet regularly in the hope of resolving outstanding cold case murder.

Bender began his work with the Department of police of the city of Philadelphia, but his talent became popular internationally. He has also worked with the FBI, Scotland Yard and the Governments of Egypt and Mexico. He worked several times with America's most wanted.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 10: 35 am and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, veterans. Can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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A young athlete near Boston hit with a diagnosis of mesothelioma

It's not often that the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots – Boston three professional sports franchise-high join forces like this.

But it's also not often someone so young and so healthy struck a rare cancer, mesothelioma, which attacks usually older people after exposure to asbestos.

All three teams in major league baseball, National Hockey League and National Football League, include efforts to raise funds in support of Kevin Morrison, Athletic 21-year-old former high school star who fights the peritoneum mesothelioma game tickets.

"Kevin causes, '' the event is scheduled for 12 August at a local restaurant, hoping to raise money to cover the alternative treatment he needs but not covered by the family health insurance.

Morrison is currently at the nearby Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, according to a press release from local firefighters Norwood 1631, where his father works.

As a senior, Norwood high school (class of 2008) Morrison was the team captain for football and hockey.

Norwood is a community of friendly 28 000 people, is located just 15 miles outside of Boston. It has rallied around the "Kevin reasons" event. Concannon, a restaurant in Norwood, provides a website for the evening. Norwood typography and fire Norwood sell tickets, promoting the event. Official site of prominence is the press release.

According to a family member who talked with Asbestos.com details Kevin present status and future appeals will, although friends and neighbors to promote events through Facebook and Twitter, along with various Web sites.

Mesothelioma is no stranger to the area. Cancer has struck many times around Boston, particularly in trades, many arising from the work in the shipyards, where asbestos was circulated.

Usually a long latency period – from 20 to 50 years – between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma onset of symptoms is what made Morrison's case is so notable, though not unique.

Austin Lacy, former high school football player from Pasadena, California, died in June of complications caused by mesothelioma, only a week before he had to finish high school.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 2: 37 pm and is filed under mesothelioma asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Mesothelioma cancer diseases not covered by recent federal funding for victims of 9/11

Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma – cancer caused by asbestos is not eligible for assistance through the recently appropriated $ 2.8 billion federal fund supposedly meant for those who are still suffering from illness related to 9/11 attack 10 years ago.

You are out of luck – at least for the moment.

Although approximately 400 tons of asbestos fibres in the air after the collapse of the twin towers, part of the deadly fog blanketing the city and especially the rescuers, not cancer would be covered by the new Zadroga 9/11 health and compensation fund.

This omission has died, many of the families of those who have suffered — many of whom were present at the General Assembly last week that the Fund – and frustration of the defenders of the patients.

"This is lethal when policy steps in front of the public health," said Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and co-founder of asbestos disease awareness Organization (ADOA).

Payments will begin in the autumn of that year, leaving many of the most severely affected with various forms of cancer, they believe, are directly linked to 9/11 attacks and its aftermath.

In determining what the right to be covered, the National Institute for occupational safety and health said too little scientific evidence linking cancer time spent among the debris and dust around the World Trade Center attack.

The Fund is an extension of the original Bill that distributed 7 billion dollars for the families and victims in the two years following these events.

"9/11 rescue workers not only deserve our respect, but the treatment of any disease, including cancer, which could be attributed to exposure to carcinogens, released from the catastrophe of the World Trade Center," Reinstein said Asbestos.com Thursday.

Centers for disease control had previously reported that 62% of people caught in the dust cloud of the fallen towers suffered from respiratory problems. In addition 46 percent of those who lived or worked in the area and still avoid the initial dust cloud reported consistent respiratory diseases.

The CDC reported that among the substances present in the air as a result of heavy concentrations of lead, mercury, cadmium, shards of glass, fiberglass, dioxins, sprayed concrete, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene. There were a lot more heavy metals that are burned in the fire, which lasted for months after the attack.

Asbestos was so common from its use in the construction of the Tower, which began in the late 1960s, before they were fully aware of the danger of a mineral. Asbestos was used anywhere as a fire retardant in both buildings, insulation, floor tiles, and other locations. According to the national resources Defense Council report, 2002, at least 400 tons of asbestos were used in construction.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers have been linked to several respiratory diseases, including lung and pleura mesothelioma, lung cancer, which effects the linings of the lungs. This can take anywhere from 15 to 50 years after exposure to the symptoms appear, although the two 9/11 responders have already died from Mesothelioma and their symptoms far earlier than the norm.

Diseases covered by the Act include chronic cough, sinusitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Pulmonary fibrosis, muscular problems and many mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

The absence of cancer diseases covers frustration even some of the New York legislators who originally welcomed legislation and helped to sponsor.

"This is disappointing news for 9/11 responders and survivors who tragically was diagnosed with cancer in the wake of the attacks and suffered from day to day and are awaiting assistance," said New York representative Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, in a joint statement last month.

The Fund must be distributed over the next five years, leaving open the possibility of including other diseases.
"It's just ridiculous that the cancer had not been included," said Reinstein.

If you want more detailed information on asbestos exposure, which occurred as a result of 9/11, visit the center of mesothelioma at Asbestos.com to learn more. If you have been diagnosed with asbestos-related disease and would like to help, find resources, fill out this form to find out how we can help.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 4: 50 pm and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, studies of survivors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Mesothelioma research gets boost 3.58 million. $. United States Hawaii Cancer Center

Dr. Michele Carbone Cancer Center at the University of Hawaii was known in the past few years as one of the world's leaders in the fight against mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.

This will only make it better.

Cancer Center announced Wednesday a donation 3.58 million dollars specifically for mesothelioma, Carbone. This is the second largest donation in the history of the Cancer Center UH.

"This gift is critical to supporting our efforts to create discoveries that are designed to help prevent mesothelioma and developing new treatments," said Carbone. "This will strengthen the Hawaii as a leading place in the field of mesothelioma research."

Mesothelioma has no known treatment and the five-year survival rate of 10 per cent. There are 2000-3000 patients diagnosed in the United States of America each year. Cancer is significantly worse in other parts of the world, especially when asbestos still less regulated.

Carbone has spent part of the past 15 years studying the region in Turkey, where nearly 50 per cent of its inhabitants died from Mesothelioma. His research has attracted much attention worldwide.

He was at the University of Hawaii since 2006, first as Director, Thoracic Oncology, then Director of the Cancer Center.

"We are proud that Dr. Carbone team leads the world in this area. Mesothelioma is a serious public health problem, "said Virginia Hinshaw, Chancellor at the University of Hawaii Manoa. "This gift checks for their efforts and help them to remain at the forefront of research of Thoracic Oncology.

Carbone and his team are in the midst of trials, the authors of the early detection research network of the United States National Cancer Institute. Early detection is critical, but particularly difficult, mesothelioma has a latency period of up to 50 years. It is usually not detected until the later stages, which makes survival rate so low.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 5: 40 pm and is filed under mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Mother daughter honors with mesothelioma bracelets at the wedding

Katherine Cook wasn't there two months ago to see the fascinating weddings ever was in the South of the plantation of Oaks in New Orleans.

It was not there to see her elder daughter, striking to see her walk down the aisle in this beautiful clothing, hear heartfelt wedding vows.  It was not there to help prepare for the big day as Rebecca's mother.

No, she missed it all. Catherine Cook was not there for the happiest day in both their lives.

Nevertheless, it was very much there in spirit.

Katherine died in 2010 at the age of 56, poisoned by deadly asbestos fibres becoming yet another innocent victim of mesothelioma, a cancer that should not be.

Rebecca, however, to her mother's memory was present at the day of her wedding.

Each Member of the wedding banquet-even cute little ring bearer – and every guest in attendance was dressed mesothelioma awareness bracelet.  250 people in attendance. And 250 wristbands.

"My mother was my best friend. We used a double-Date, and sometimes my stepfather, I and my fiance. I know she would have loved to svad'by"Rebekka said recently from his home in nearby Marrero, Louisiana. "We would like everyone to be aware of what makes this terrible disease, and how pointless it is."

Rebecca made it to raise awareness and understanding of mesothelioma, a disease knew nothing about before Catherine was diagnosed. As her mother fought mesothelioma, Rebecca scrambled for answers, she can never find.

"It still amazes me how little people know about Mesothelioma. When people ask me about my bracelet, I'm happy to explain. Some of my friends still wear their stripes, "she said. "Even my mom when she knew she was dying, she would say," I wish, instead I got breast cancer. At least then, people understand that I have. " ”

Catherine had a picture of health not long before she was first diagnosed. It was active. She worked regularly. She was on vacation, hiking with her husband on the paths the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, when she suddenly stopped breathing. She was exhausted and puzzling.

After the, often at least twice, she said that she had mesothelioma in March 2009. It is an attack on her lungs and she had already spread.

Do not wait for the family, taking her country's best doctors and hospitals, looking for help and hope, first travel to Texas, then to Boston, but to no avail. Katherine died in less than a year.

"This is a terrible thing to watch someone go through this. I saw that went through my mother, and it was like watching someone drown as she slowly choking, "says Rebecca. "It just seemed as compared with most diseases, doctors do not have any real answers."

Each year United States doctors diagnose 2000-3000 people with mesothelioma. Some doctors specialize in treating it. Search one of these is necessary as catching the disease at an early stage.

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral is used in many products. Chaos, which he calls in the body can sit dormant for 30-50 years.

Catherine Cook, exposure to asbestos probably came a few decades ago, and from any place she rarely went to the factory that created the insulating materials near where she lived. She never worked there, but her father once did, and her first husband did, too. It will wash the clothes her husband every day, unknowingly inhaling deadly fibers.

"When my mother was sick, people would say" I do not know your mother smoked. "But she did not smoke. She never smoked. She never drank. She was living a healthy lifestyle. Rebecca said she didnt bring it upon himself ". "It's really scary to think, they still produce asbestos, when they knew long ago, it was killing people."

Rebecca now drives at work every day in New Orleans in the old office building, likely has asbestos in the walls, floor and ceiling. It is the least one shield mentions mesothelioma as a murderer. There are other families in the area, which shocked the same diagnosis. It does not require a reminder. She still feels the need to help others to cope.

"In an ideal world, I would like to be this amazing scientist and find a cure for mesothelioma, or at least find a way to check people early, to stop it from reaching the stage where there is nothing you can do," says Rebecca. "What I would like to someday is the children of my own and start a non-profit organization to raise money for research to find a cure. "

Before her wedding, Rebecca and her husband-to-be asked guests who instead of gifts for the new couple to find a charitable organization that helps fund research mesothelioma. However, what they found were very few that used the money for this particular cancer, which is rare compared with others.

"I would like to spend raising money for this reason, if he can spare one family from having to go through what my mother went through my whole life," says Rebecca. "It was the best mother anyone could ask for, but towards the end, she could not walk five feet without using oxygen.  I just feel the need to do something about this disease. She would like me to help find a cure. "

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11: 44 am and is filed under mesothelioma asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Èriocit has a serious mesothelioma threat in North Dakota

The threat of a sharp increase in mesothelioma cases around Dunn County, North Dakota isn't going away any time soon, despite a number of precautions have been taken in the past few years.

A recent study reported in 25 July 2011, the work of the Bureau of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a detailed description of the risks posed by continued èriocit, fibrous mineral used in the production of gravel, mainly for roads in the western part of the State.

Èriocit is very similar to asbestos, the main cause of pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lungs. Èriocit fibers, which become airborne, have already been linked to the alarmingly high incidence of mesothelioma in Cappadocia, Turkey, where it is found in homes, roads and surrounding mountains.

"A study in North Dakota was the concentration of èriocit was comparable or even higher than what was found in Turkey, '' said Haining Yang, Tel. (D), University of Hawaii Cancer Center, who led the study. "This seriously. Some studies have shown that èriocit may be more dangerous than asbestos. "

There are at least 12 Western States, where they found deposits of èriocit, but has the highest concentration of use in North Dakota.  According to a study of èriocit is used in almost 30 years, covering approximately 300 miles of roads and parking areas in North Dakota.

This study in cooperation of scientists from the environmental protection agency, National Institute of environmental health sciences, University of Hawaii and the University of Iowa.

North Dakota Department of health and the EPA also made an 18-month study, which ended in October 2010, but it was inconclusive. Although he found no increase in mesothelioma cases related to èriocit, he noted that the long latency period for cancer (20-50 years) may hide their findings.

The conclusion that occupational exposure to road gravel, containing èriocit may lead to increased problems and chest area. The study also concluded that "the problems are consistent with those seen with commercial exposure to asbestos. '' he recommended that the impact of èriocit gravel dust will be reduced to a minimum, which is almost impossible during the dry summer days.

North Dakota Department of health published a recommendation three years ago to stop using gravel, containing èriocit, and the Department of transport stated that the requirement of public roads. After the study three different counties have agreed to adhere to the recommendations of the State. Killdeer city removed from several parking lots affected gravel, including at the baseball park and swimming pool.

"It is impossible to predict what will happen there. You can only hope for the best, "Jan said Tuesday in an interview with asbestos.com. "It's better sooner or later encounter a problem, or it could be a disaster ''.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2010 at 5: 26 pm and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Son of heart surgeon reminds all that exposure to asbestos mesothelioma know no boundaries

When Mike Hackler, eminent surgeon of the cardiovascular system in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, diagnosis, two of his patients — have long been good friends, goes back to high school with mesothelioma in 2001, he assumed he would be the next privacy.

Unfortunately he was right.

"I was already grown up, ready to move to California, and I remember my father sat me, told me there is a likelihood that he will soon with this cancer. His son, Mike Hackler, I couldn't even pronounce "mesothelioma" then, "said recently.  "He just had that feeling. And I thought, ' no way. Are you a doctor in your Prime. You feel great. You have nothing to worry about. " “’

But he did.

Five years later, Dr.  Hackler was diagnosed, too, dramatically changing the face of this terrible disease that are usually associated with the trades and military service, where exposure to asbestos is commonplace.

Dr. Hackler and his buddies high schools worked summer jobs together during their college years at the nearby ports of Baton Rouge, unloading of the 140-pound bags of asbestos that were brought from Africa. Part of this work closely inspecting every 100th bag, breaking it open and sifting through the asbestos, which means that inhaling deadly fibers.

Hackler died nearly four years ago, in 60 years, almost 40 years after tossing the bags of asbestos, a long time after he touched the lives — to save the lives of so many in Baton Rouge.

"You just don't think the disease striking someone like my dad. When it came to medicine, he had all the answers, ' Mike Asbestos.com said in a recent interview. "But this thing can strike anyone at any time after they think they're in the clear." "

Mesothelioma is almost exclusively due to exposure to asbestos, but it can be 30-40 years before any symptoms.  His son Mike, now financial consultant in Baton Rouge, was particularly active in raising awareness, mobilizing funds for research, which is no surprise to those who knew his father.

A religious person, Dr. Hackler prayed with his patients before surgery. He traveled the world doing volunteer work, helping to create medical institutions and churches in the less developed countries.

He has a huge garden of roses, usually in their own backyard, and then distributed these roses for women in the Church, smiling at them every Sunday. He often gave their time and medical examination for the less fortunate. He considered himself a happy man. Even towards the end he made sure his son Mike brought roses for nurses in the hospital.

"He came from nothing and really give the shirt off his back to anyone," said Mike. "To see your mentor, best friend, father get hit with something like this, it's hard. This is how God takes the best of the first. His life was just torn apart. It's not something you ever wanted your own worst enemy ".

Mike now plans to use the memory of his father to help others and help find a cure. He was a guest several times on national public radio show, telling their story, reminding all how deadly asbestos can be.

Goes to Washington, district of Colombia each year in June to international symposium on malignant mesothelioma, lobbying congressmen and their assistants and anyone else who will listen on Capitol Hill.

It creates an annual golf tournament in Baton Rouge to raise money and awareness. He wants a mile for meso road race, similar to other cropping up around the country.

He works closely with MARF (Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation). It ensures that people know about national awareness day Mestothelioma (September 26).

Because the military has been a source of so many cases of mesothelioma is approximately 30 per cent, it is part of a growing effort to seek the United States Department of Defense to its annual contribution for research up to $ 5 million.

"It's sort of like an orphan disease because he receives no impact, research money, others do. There is a cure out there.  We just have to find it, "he said. "I will work on it."

In the last weeks of his father in the life of a young Mike spent many days and nights in the hospital, get acquainted personally oncologists and medical professionals who took special care of a doctor.

"In many ways, he was lucky. With his background, he understood and knew where to turn, "said Mike. "He didn't give up and he did not. But I remember it: "all is well with my soul". ”

At least 2 000 people per year in the United States have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. For more information about the disease, mesothelioma Center offers free package, full details of the illness, treatment, recent clinical tests, doctors and more. Packages are delivered overnight.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 3: 25 pm and is filed under asbestos-mesothelioma, research veterans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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