Over 800 participants attended National Mesothelioma Awareness Day event sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy and others
ALTON, Ill. – The 6th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 2K Fun Run/Walk in Alton, Illinois, has raised more than $27,000 for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, a non-profit dedicated to securing a global ban of asbestos and providing support to victims of asbestos-related diseases. Over 800 participants attended the race, hosted by Simmons Hanly Conroy, on Sat., Sept. 27 in honor of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
During the race, Linda Reinstein, President and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, talked about the importance of Mesothelioma Awareness Day for patients and families.
“More than 10,000 Americans die each year from preventable asbestos-caused disease,” Reinstein said. “While promising mesothelioma research continues, prevention remains the only cure. Events like Miles for Meso increase awareness that asbestos remains legal and lethal in the USA today. ADAO sincerely thanks Simmons Hanly Conroy for their continued support of protecting asbestos victims’ civil rights and public health. For each life lost to asbestos-related diseases, a shattered family is left behind.”
Simmons, Chairman of Simmons Hanly Conroy, has overseen some of the biggest verdicts and settlements in the history of asbestos litigation. Since the firm started in 1999, it has helped thousands of families across the country impacted by mesothelioma enforce their legal rights. However, the firm’s dedication to victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases extends far beyond the courtroom.
“This is the sixth year we’ve hosted a Miles for Meso 5K race and every year it keeps getting better and better,” Simmons said. “The amount of support shown by the entire community is both inspiring and moving, and we want to thank everyone who attended. You are helping to make a difference in the lives of those harmed by asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.”
More than 600 runners and walkers completed Saturday’s race. Over $2,000 in cash prizes were awarded to the top five overall men and women finishers. Miles for Meso custom medals were awarded to the top three finishers in 5-year age groups. Michael Jordan of Evansville, Indiana, won first place overall in the men’s category. He completed the 5K in 15:15. First place overall in the women’s division went to Jackie Pirtle-Hall of St. Charles, Missouri, with a time of 17:26.
The Alton event included an activity area for children and a dog adoption event hosted by Hope Rescues, along with free food and drinks for runners, walkers, supporters and their families. The event also featured an acoustic performance from singer-songwriter Jordan Zevon. ADAO spokesperson Jordan is the son of musician Warren Zevon, who died of mesothelioma in 2003.
The Alton race was just one of three Miles for Meso races that took place during September for National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Nearly 300 people attended the Bruce A. Waite 5K Race in Ontario, Ohio on Sept. 20 and over 300 people attended the John Pavlick Miles for Meso 8K on Sept. 14. Both races benefited the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, a national charity focused on peer-reviewed research and patient support programming. Together, all three September Miles for Meso races raised over $50,000 for mesothelioma cancer and awareness. Miles for Meso events around the country have cumulatively raised over $400,000.
Since 2009, the Alton race has raised $150,000 for mesothelioma research. The money is raised through a combination of registration fees, personal donations and sponsorships including the event’s Platinum Sponsors Acropolis Technology Group and the Bridge Church and Gold Sponsors: Fathom, First Clover Leaf Bank, Jenner & Block, Stratos Legal, The Tedrick Insurance Group, Sokolove Law, PohlmanUSA Court Reporting and Classic Graphics.
About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is the largest independent asbestos victims’ organization in the U.S. It was founded in 2004 to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice, to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and to work towards a global asbestos ban. ADAO is dedicated to preventing asbestos-caused diseases through national and international education, advocacy, and community initiatives.
For more information, visit http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/
