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Mesothelioma: A Killer
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International Symposium Will Focus on Curing Mesothelioma
Wednesday October 6, 5:00 am ET
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- A lethal, but long- overlooked cancer will take a major step out of the shadows next week, as The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation convenes the First International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare, asbestos-related cancer. Research efforts were overlooked for decades, and effective treatment lags far behind other cancers. At the same time, incidence in the U.S. and globally is increasing to what some experts term epidemic proportions. The widely reported asbestos exposures resulting from 9/11 have increased the urgency of developing treatments for mesothelioma, in the view of many experts. The Symposium, to be held at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel October 14-16, 2004, is the first ever meeting designed to unite the entire mesothelioma-concerned community to focus on the research needed to cure the disease.
The importance of this effort is gaining national attention. Today, the Honorable Harry Reid, Nevada Senator and Democratic Whip, confirmed that he will attend to deliver the Symposium's keynote speech. Jordan Zevon -- son of critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, who died from mesothelioma one year ago -- will also appear. Washington Senator Patty Murray will receive an award in the name of Congressman Bruce Vento, who died from mesothelioma in 2000.
The Symposium combines a scientific and medical conference with workshops designed specifically for patients, family members, industry representatives and others interested in the disease. Scientific Co-Chairs Nicholas Vogelzang, MD, Director of the Nevada Cancer Institute, and Harvey Pass, MD, Chief of Thoracic Oncology at Wayne State University's Karmanos Cancer Center, have assembled presentations by the world's leading mesothelioma surgeons, oncologists, and geneticists. Collectively, they will advance scientific understanding of the disease, while educating front-line physicians, as well as patients, families and all who help them, on recent advances, current treatment options, and emerging potential therapies for mesothelioma.
Additional presentations will address how both America's public and private sectors can allocate resources toward medical research to improve mesothelioma treatment. Representatives from government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and law firms and corporations who might typically be found on opposite sides in asbestos litigation are all expected to participate.
"Bringing together these diverse members of the mesothelioma-concerned community is the key step needed right now in the effort to solve the problem," said MARF executive director Chris Hahn. "This is also an important opportunity for us to build community among patients, family members, volunteers and patient advocates and provide them with knowledge, encouragement and hope as they observe first-hand the dedication and brilliance of those who are working so passionately to unlock the secrets of this disease."
Hahn continued by thanking the co-chairs, Dr. Vogelzang and Dr. Pass, for their efforts and expertise in assembling the Symposium, and the financial sponsors who are helping to make it possible: SimmonsCooper, Brayton Purcell, Waters & Kraus, Stanley, Mandel & Iola, Wise & Julian, Bergman & Frockt, The David Law Firm, and Alfacell Corporation.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) is the national nonprofit organization whose mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease. For more information, contact The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (http://www.marf.org) Executive Director, Christopher E. Hahn, 805-560-8942, c-hahn@marf.org.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ASBESTOS AND STAFF LINGER AT HANOVER GARDEN, WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 6, 2004
by JOHANNA THATCH-BRIGGS
The Wilmington Journal
Originally posted 10/1/2004
The new facelift at Hanover Garden Apart-ments is inarguably a fair attempt to beautify the surroundings for residents who have lived in this blighted area on the Eastside for years. There is no doubt that having a decent place to call “home” lifts one’s spirits and instills a stronger sense of pride for those who live in low-income housing.
However, several weeks ago The Wilmington Journal received complaints from residents who were concerned that the renovation project was proving to be more hurtful than helpful as they claimed that many of them were being evicted and harassed for petty infractions. The group of women not only shared their suspicions about being “put out” before the project is completed, but they also griped about structural and environmental issues and problems with management.
Property Owner Roger Gendron, in response to the claims, told The Wilmington Journal that there were many others who did not feel the same way.
In fact, he mentioned that the two front units in Hanover Gardens were already occupied and residents were more than pleased with their new homes.
He explained, “We got the property in terrible condition…We’re spending about four million dollars to renovate the property.”
Mr. Gendron further mentioned that residents would enjoy perks such as new kitchens as well as central air conditioning.
Unfortunately, some residents believe that the work being done is primarily cosmetic, and that it will take much more effort to make residents feel safe and secure. They share consistent stories about ceilings caving in, faulty plumbing, and sewage problems that cause feces and urine to drip down the walls when the sewage is backed up.
Furthermore, the worry that lingers in their minds the most is the fact that asbestos was found and recently removed from some of the apartments. Kim, a resident who requested that only her first name be used, told The Journal that she has launched her own investigation in hope to find information that will help fellow residents discover whether they have been exposed to the harmful chemical that can cause scarring of the lung tissue.
She says she contacted the local health department, and the state department of health. According to her, she was told that permits were issued in August to remove the asbestos; however, she recalls the work being done as early as June.
In reference to the asbestos, Mr. Gendron commented, “The only asbestos on the property is the joint compound that is in the sheetrock…We don’t touch it until we vacate the unit; then we have a special company come in to do it professionally. We never do that unless the unit is empty.”
Kim and other residents have also contacted the local chapter of the NAACP and filed a complaint with the civil rights organization. After receiving assistance from Councilwoman Lethia Hankins, who also is member of the New Hanover County Human Relations Commission, they filed a complaint with Human Relations as well.
Councilwoman Hankins says she has been working closely with the residents by providing them with the information about agencies, resources, and organizations that are available to them.
In the meantime, Kim says the property manager has not “let up”, and in her opinion, she is still mistreating residents. She claimed that two more young women had since been evicted since the first article was printed in The Journal, and one was currently in eviction status.
Yet and still, Mr. Gendron seemed optimistic and concluded, “We’re trying to take a very bad situation and make it better…We bought it [the property] with the intention of fixing every single apartment….”
Review ahead for furlough plans
Published: October 1, 2004
By CHRIS NICHOLS
Calaveras County supervisors Monday will review five mandatory furlough days approved this year for most county employees and consider what changes to the plan may be necessary.
The county was stretched thin last month when its first furlough day coincided with the start of the Pattison Fire near Valley Springs, leaving the county with only a skeleton crew to respond to numerous calls from county residents.
To save an estimated $300,000, officials approved the furlough days this summer. Law enforcement and emergency service workers were exempted.
Exactly what changes may come to the unpaid days off remains to be seen. But county officials said that, rather than mandatory days off, some departments could close early each Friday.
Monday's review session, set for 11:30 a.m. during the Board of Supervisors weekly meeting, will allow officials to consider suggestions from various county departments about how to handle the remaining furlough days, said County Administrative Officer Tom Mitchell.
The four remaining furlough days are scheduled for Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving; Feb. 18, the Friday before President's Day; March 25, Good Friday; and May 20, the Friday of the Calaveras County Fair and Frog Jumping Jubilee.
Supervisor Lucy Thein said more staff members need to be on duty in key departments — like Animal Control and Environmental Health — on future furlough days.
Thein added that more staff at these offices would help relieve Sheriff's dispatchers and other emergency service workers who were swamped during last month's furlough day.
"We need these people on alert," Thein said.
The lone employee on duty at Animal Control, Stacey Vavzincak, was flooded with calls on Sept. 3 about lost dogs, horses and cats near the fire in Valley Springs, said Mary Mutz, of the county agriculture department.
Forced to close the county animal shelter and respond to the calls, Vavzincak worked until midnight in Valley Springs collecting lost animals before returning to San Andreas and leaving work after a 24-hour shift, Mutz said.
"It's a big concern," she said of staff shortages on furlough days. "It would be helpful to have more people on."
Supervisors Monday will also consider:
• Whether to support the $326 million Yosemite Community College District Bond Measure E.
The measure, on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, would allow Columbia College to build a 20,000-square-foot satellite campus in Angels Camp to serve Calaveras County students — most of whom now must travel to the college's main campus in Columbia.
• Signing a letter of intent with Aircon Energy to replace air conditioning units in the county's administrative and legal buildings.
If the letter is signed, plans will start for the second phase of an ongoing project to replace aging air conditioning units, install new lighting in the legal building, replace all ducting and remove asbestos at a maximum cost of $20,000.
• Whether to hire Nacht & Lewis Architects Inc. to develop plans for renovating the administration building's first-floor restrooms, new restrooms, a new mail facility and asbestos removal at a cost of $12,750.
• A resolution opposing Proposition 68. Also known as the Gaming Revenue Act of 2004, the act would allow casinos to expand the number of slot machines they offer and, if approved by state voters, to operate in communities away from Native American reservations.
• A resolution recognizing Diana and Mal Ponte for their combined 60 years of service to the Valley Springs Sanitary District and the Valley Springs Public Utilities District.
Contact Chris Nichols at cnichols@uniondemocrat.com
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