|
With January already under our belts, I am excited for ADAO to embark on a new chapter of advocacy and action as we continue into 2025. With a new administration now in office, we are presented with opportunities, and yes, challenges, in our steadfast mission to protect public health from asbestos exposure. Together, we will continue to foster progress and prioritize prevention.
In January, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing on the Chemical Safety Act, highlighting critical concerns about industry pressure that continues to undermine public health protections. A decade after the Act’s implementation, alarming developments under new EPA leadership reveal a shift toward prioritizing corporate interests over public safety. This underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory action and accountability. ADAO will continue to be vigilant and call out conflicts when we see them so public health is always put before corporate profits.
The devastating Los Angeles wildfires have introduced new and unprecedented challenges for the Los Angeles community while highlighting once again the danger of legacy asbestos and toxic chemicals in the wake of more frequent and more severe natural disasters.. In response, ADAO launched a dedicated resource hub to provide residents with essential information on toxic debris, air quality, and asbestos risks. We called attention to the heightened risks facing LA residents and offered actionable safety guidelines to protect their health during recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, this February, as we observe Cancer Prevention Month, we are reminded that prevention remains our most powerful tool against disease. Asbestos-caused cancers are preventable, yet exposure persists. This stark reality fuels our resolve to advocate for comprehensive asbestos ban legislation, improved protections, and enhanced public awareness to eliminate this entirely avoidable health crisis.
We are announcing the Senate Asbestos Awareness Week Resolution champion this month and are also looking forward to this year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), April 1–7. Every year, GAAW helps us spread life-saving resources and information to new audiences, and we know this year will be no different.
For those who wish to honor a loved one in a meaningful way, we invite you to create a personalized Memorial Tribute Page—a heartfelt tribute that celebrates their life and legacy while supporting ADAO’s mission to end asbestos-caused diseases. This special remembrance not only keeps their story alive but also helps raise awareness, advocate for a ban, and provide vital resources to families affected by asbestos exposure. By sharing their journey, you ensure their legacy continues to inspire hope, action, and change.
We want to shine a spotlight on Earl Dotter’s BADGES poster series. This powerful blend of art and advocacy memorializes the stories of those affected by asbestos and serves as a compelling call to action in the fight against asbestos-related diseases. It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly a decade since his first installment, and we are grateful for his dedication to raising awareness through art.
We are pleased to share that our 2024 sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, LLP,, Gold Sponsors The Gori Law Firm and Motley Rice LLC and Silver Sponsor Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen, will again sponsor ADAO in 2025.
Thanks to our sponsors and donors, ADAO has made significant steps forward in asbestos prevention and policy. You can see the many things we accomplished in our 20th Anniversary Report. ADAO has ONE more 2025 sponsorship opportunity available. Please email me if you would like to hear more about ADAO’s exciting 2025 plans.
Thank you for being a part of this community. Your steadfast support and engagement empower our mission. Together, we are building a future where asbestos exposure becomes history—not headlines.
Together we are united for change. Onward.
Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and Co-Founder, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
| 
