A
New Research Foundation Battles an Old Nemesis
For
years asbestos related diseases have afflicted the United
Association's membership. One such disease is Mesothelioma,
a malignant tumor that aggressively invades the lining of
the lungs, abdomen and heart. Although the major sources of
exposure were supposedly removed from industry usage more
than 25 years ago, 2,500 to 4,000 people are diagnosed with
Mesothelioma annually. The majority of these cases are from
the building trades, a large percentage of which are UA members
and their families. Family members are exposed when the fibers
are brought home in the working member's clothes and hair.
Little has been done to find an effective treatment for this
incurable disease. Historically the tumor has been accepted
as fatal with limited treatment options. Since Mesothelioma
has a latency period of 15 to 50 years, asbestos exposure
from the 1970's or earlier may lead to the continuing diagnosis
of Mesothelioma for another two decades.
The
federal government currently contributes $3.36 billion to
the National Institute of Health for cancer research. None
of that money is spent on potentially life-saving clinical
trials for Mesothelioma patients.
Several months ago during a discussion between Local 230 Financial
Secretary –Treasurer Steve Vealey and attorney Jerry
Neil Paul, from the law firm of Paul & Hanley, Jerry Paul
voiced his wish to find someone to help him set up and run
a foundation to fund research to find a cure for Mesothelioma.
Brother Vealey immediately volunteered to head up the organization.
Thus the
Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America was established.
The initial Board Members are Jerry Neil Paul, Esq. Founding
Director, Steve Vealey, Executive Director, United Association
International Representative James W. Kellogg, Board Member,
and Dr. Parkash Gill M.D. Chairman of the Medical Advisory
Board.
Jerry Paul provided $200,000 as start up funding for the Foundation
and on June 28 of this year presented an initial $100,000
research grant to the University of Southern California/Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC/Norris was chosen because
of Dr. Gill's expertise in developing cancer therapies for
some hard to treat types of cancers. Dr. Gill is conducting
research on identification of genes/proteins that cause growth
of tumor cells and blood vessels feeding the tumors. He has
discovered compounds that show great promise in animal models
of cancer. He has established a comprehensive program for
the treatment of Mesothelioma. The team includes pathologists
who are specialized in making the correct diagnosis, chest
surgeons who may be able to remove the cancer surgically in
suitable cases, and cancer specialists who will work to develop
innovative therapies.
Treatment will fall into three categories. The direct targeting
of tumor cells, therapies that block the growth of blood vessels
that nourish tumor cells and finally therapies that stimulate
the bodies immune system to fight cancer. Initial results
in the laboratory have been encouraging. Dr. Gill hopes to
be in clinical trials and treating patients by the end of
the year.
Nearly 30 years of asbestos litigation – running into
millions of dollars spent each year- has passed with virtually
no research on the treatment and cure of Mesothelioma. Would
not some of this time and money be better invested in finding
a cure?
The
fund raising sources of the Foundation are simple. They are
the companies and law firms involved in asbestos litigation,
UA Local Unions across the country, spouses, friends and family
members who give in the name of loved ones taken by Mesothelioma.
