Action Mesothelioma Day
Among the dozens of speeches up and down the country on Action Mesothelioma Day, two remarkable individuals gave their own testimonies about how mesothelioma has affected their families.
LEEDS - Russell Hancock
Who could have believed that only a few years ago we would all be here, bringing mesothelioma from relative obscurity to the forefront of public attention.
That is down to the hard work, dedication and commitment of many people who believe in doing the right thing. That makes me so proud and I would personally like to thank you all.
How things have changed in such a short space of time.
In November 1980, ultra cool film star and one of my favourite actors died. His name was Steve McQueen. He died of something called mesothelioma - caused by exposure to asbestos during his time in the marines. His or his motor car/bike racing suit, or during his time as a mechanic. Either way, he became an innocent victim of asbestos just by doing the things he loved.
At the time, his cause of death, was of no concern to me. Mesothelioma was difficult to pronounce, difficult to spell, and even harder to remember. In any case, it wouldn't affect me. How wrong could I have been.
In March 1982, just two years later, Maie Gelder died, aged 67, from mesothelioma in Wheatfields hospice. She was my grandmother, my mother's mother.
Diagnosis was a long slow painful process, and once diagnosed she was told to go home and rest, and take liquid morphine when required. That was it. No care. No support. No-one to talk to. Just her and her family coping as best they could.
She had lived in Armley and had her own shop near the JW Roberts factory, serving the workers in their dust covered overalls and sweeping away the fibres on the floor when they left. One more innocent victim.
However, I now knew how to spell and pronounce mesothelioma. I would also remember it for the rest of my life - because it destroys and devastates peoples' lives and families and there is nothing that can be done about it - or so I thought.
Twelve years later, June Hancock, my mother, was diagnosed with mesothelioma; once again devastating this family. Another innocent victim whose only crime was to live and play in the shadow of the JW Roberts factory that spewed out its lethal dust.
This time, however, something could be done.
June Hancock's family had been blighted not once but twice by this terrible disease. Someone had to be answerable, and made to pay for their actions both morally and financially, and that someone was T&N.
This quiet, determined and dignified lady from Armley, aided by Adrian Budgen from Irwin Mitchell, the YEP and Vanessa Bridge, John Battle MP, and numerous others who helped her, took on and successfully won a landmark judgement against T&N. Not for financial gain - it was never about money. Not for personal recognition - that's not what they wanted. They did it because it was the right thing to do. Because, if successful. other victims would not have to do through what my mother had to go through.
For the record, T&N appealed, and she and her team won that as well. Justice had at last been done - twice over. Throughout the original hearing and the appeal, June attended court every day over many months and whilst in great pain and extremely tired. She remained calm, dignified, courteous and conducted herself in a manner that endeared her to so many - quite a contrast to T&N!
On 19 July 1997, June Hancock died, aged 61. One more innocent victim, but one who, in my eyes anyway, left a legacy far greater than Steve McQueen's. After all, his was acting, June Hancock wasn't.
Russell Hancock
27 February 2008
Action Mesothelioma Day, Leeds Town Hall
BIRMINGHAM - Sandra
My name is Sandra. My darling husband Colin, was diagnosed with this terrible disease in August 2002. He survived with courage, determination and those who knew him well, would say obstinacy - for 3 ½ years. He died on our 40th wedding anniversary. Though many would say "how sad - how tragic", I have to disagree. Colin promised when he was first diagnosed that we WOULD be together on his 60th birthday and our 40th wedding anniversary and true to his word, we were.
We are all here together - suffering the loss of someone loved, someone special, someone who died through no fault of their own. We know many more will suffer. It's not only those who suffer the actual pain of the disease, it's also those who are there seeing the suffering of their loved ones and those who are left to suffer the pain of bereavement.
Colin had numerous courses of chemotherapy. As we know there is no cure, but the trials of different drugs needs to be tested and when there's a lifeline offered, no matter how fragile or slight that chance may be, you take it. I remember the first of many oncologists who said that the trial may no help Colin, but his altruistic attitude was courageous and commendable. We didn't know what the word meant, so we looked it up and it said to help and benefit others. We, selfishly maybe, didn't think about others in the future, this was our life, our future and he took the chance with hope and courage. Each session of chemo gave Colin a temporary respite, which he grabbed with both hands, determined to lead as normal as life as possible, but of course, the disease too was determined and eventually it won.
Colin was never bitter that, just by working hard to give his family a good life, the disregard for the safety of the working man was so flippantly treated by his employers. We're led to believe that the danger of asbestos is over, employers ensuring that employees are not endangered by working in close proximity to asbestos, but we know for all of us here it's too late. Future generations shouldn't have to face this terrible fate, and maybe one day the future will hold a cure.
Colin believed in positive thinking in all that he did, so when a few months after his death, some of the local football players he had coached, trained and played with over many hears asked if they could hold a charity memorial day in his honour, in their works "to repay a great man for all his time and effort to help amateur football", we too were very honoured. Of course he was special to myself and our sons, but that other people were so touched by him as a special man to do this in his memory was fantastic. That first year we raised just over £1,000, which for a local one day charity event was an amazing amount of money. Last year we raised just over £2,000.
Everyone here has been affected by this terrible disease and hopefully the efforts of people like Alida and her company (Irwin Mitchell), who do all in their power to help the innocent victims and their families, will eventually be recognised by both governments, employers and the public in general, so that when someone hears the word mesothelioma, they won't say "what's that, never heard of it". Everyone needs to be aware of the terrible consequences of the ignorance and apathy that surrounds asbestos, because like all of us here, we know it can happen to anyone.
Sandra
AMD 2008
Birmingham Cathedral
27 Feburary 2008
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