April is always a big month for ADAO, but this year April was AMPLIFIED!

 

Our 13th International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference brought together a phenomenal group of asbestos victims and experts, ranging from physicians to researchers to labor leaders. Not only did we hear incredible presentations from global experts, but the opportunity to connect as a community was truly wonderful.

 

Later in the month, we hosted our 11th Congressional staff briefing and collaborated with the Natural Resources Defense Council to advocate against a new bill that aims to roll back lifesaving safety regulations. During our briefing, we spoke out against this bill, which would ultimately threaten our work for an asbestos ban, as well as the FACT Act, which is a reprehensible attack on asbestos victims' civil rights.

 

While we were busy in DC, our global partners convened in Geneva for the Rotterdam Convention, which brings together delegates from around the world to work together to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals. While we were not able to travel to Geneva for the meetings, we participated remotely as a member of the Global Asbestos Action Alliance, and I'm confident that Michael Borowick and our other allies are fighting hard to make a case against asbestos.

 

With sadness, I want to honor a dear Warrior we lost this month. Lou Williams of Australia lost her courageous battle with mesothelioma after fighting this terrible disease for more than 10 years. Lou was a fierce and fearless advocate and a beacon of support for thousands around the world. Lou's spirit will live on in all of our work.

 

In honor of Lou and International Workers' Memorial Day, which we somberly recognized on April 28, I'll part with this reminder: "Mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living."