Action Mesothelioma Day 2014 took place in the beautifully tranquil surroundings of Queenswood House on the Headingley Campus of Leeds Metropolitan University on 4 July.

Members of the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund and the Mesothelioma Support Group Yorkshire (MESSY) enjoyed an afternoon strawberry tea served in true Betty’s tea room style, at tables covered with pristine white cloths.

The event was informal, with an ‘open mic’ style of presentation, and JHMRF Trustee Dr Kate Hill introduced two researchers who are past and present JHMRF grant holders. Dr Astero Klabatsa described her work as a molecular biologist at King’s College London, her long-standing interest in mesothelioma research and the new project recently funded by JHMRF. Professor Adrian Dobbs, from the University of Greenwich, followed Astero to the mic. Adrian was the lead supervisor on the Steve Lee Fellowship – the first PhD fellowship to be supported by JHMRF – and spoke movingly about how he was inspired to apply his knowledge of inorganic chemistry to mesothelioma research after his father was diagnosed with the disease. The University of Greenwich is now joining with JHMRF in a fundraising campaign to support a further fellowship to take the work on Adrian’s new compounds forward.

AMD 2014 was a great success and JHMRF and MESSY would like to thank all who supported the day, including three local legal firms who jointly sponsored the event.

Kimberly Stubbs, Chair of JHMRF said, “Action Mesothelioma Day is always an emotional event for me, and this year’s was no different. We don’t need a special day to remember the loved ones we have so cruelly lost, but it does provide a wonderful opportunity to spend time with others in the same situation, and importantly to also talk about hope, research, and providing better treatments and outcomes for mesothelioma patients in the future.”

Pictured L-R:  Professor Adrian Dobbs, Russell Hancock (JHMRF Trustee), Dr Kate Hill (JHMRF Trustee), Simon Bolton (MESSY group and Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist), Dr Astero Klabatsa and Kimberley Stubbs (JHMRF Trustee and Chair)