SANTA BARBARA, Ca. Oct. 2 /PRWeb/ — Few Americans know the truth about mesothelioma, a deadly and incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Heavy and widespread use of asbestos through most of last century, coupled with a 20-50 year latency in tumor development, make mesothelioma today a lethal threat to tens of millions of Americans. Yet, the United States has ignored the need for research to develop effective treatments, and still has not even banned asbestos.

National awareness of this tragedy will soon grow however, as Senator Patty Murray (WA) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) have introduced resolutions in Congress designating September 26 as ”National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.”

For four years volunteers of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation have rallied each September to raise awareness, contacting their local government officials and requesting a proclamation of Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The Foundation anticipates that Senator Murray’s and Congresswoman McCollum’s work will now create needed awareness and action at the national level.

“Thanks to the concern of Senator Murray and Congresswoman McCollum, and their introduction of the federal “National Mesothelioma Awareness Day” resolution, we hope that mesothelioma will finally become part of a broad national conversation about its tragic impact on our society and the critical need to fund research to develop treatments and, ultimately, find a cure for mesothelioma,” states Chris Hahn, Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.

“The dangers of asbestos went unrecognized for far too long, with tragic results for so many workers and families across the country who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases,” said Senator Murray. “‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day’ is an opportunity to raise awareness of efforts to treat this deadly disease and support the victims and their families.” According to Congresswoman McCollum, “Too many Americans don’t know that asbestos exposure remains a problem. Enacting National Mesothelioma Awareness Day (H.Res. 771) is an important step towards educating the nation about the causes of this deadly disease.” Both Senator Murray and Congresswoman McCollum pledged to continue their work to finally ban asbestos and provide real help for those suffering from mesothelioma.

To ensure the passage of “National Mesothelioma Awareness Day,” the Foundation encourages the public to visit curemeso.org/action for an easy to use tool to contact their congressional representative and request that they co-sponsor House Resolution 771.

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