The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund was very proud to support the third Mesothelioma UK Patient & Carer Day in Leeds on 4 October 2008. It was a huge success, and we have received some very positive feedback from those attending as to how beneficial the day was. A JHMRF grant helped enable this important day for mesothelioma patients and their carers to go ahead, providing as much practical and up to date quality information as possible.

The panel of speakers included;

• John Edwards (pictured below) – Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
• Jeremy Steele – Oncology Consultant at St Bart’s Hospital, London and Chair of Mesothelioma UK
• Tony Whitston – Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group
• Michael Lees – author, ‘Asbestos in Schools’
• Linda Reinstein – Executive Director of ASAO(Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation) in America
• Natalie Doyle – Nurse Consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London
• Helen Clayson, Medical Director of Hospice of St Mary of Furness, Cumbria

Those attending the Patient and Carer Day had a unique opportunity to quiz experts, and many shared their own personal experiences of mesothelioma. Helpful advice was wide-ranging, from complimentary treatments, surgical options, palliative approaches, keeping control, coping strategies to where to go for help, legal perspectives and new approaches in research.

A lovely lunch provided more opportunity for networking.  Just under 150 people attended the day, 99 of whom were mesothelioma patients, carers or relatives. This goes to show just how important and beneficial days like these are.  Comments from participants included the following.

“I learnt a great deal, particularly about what I can do as a close friend of someone suffering with mesothelioma”

“My husband has mesothelioma and was not well enough to come, but I found the whole day very informative and it has given me a list of positive things to take home with me”

“Excellent day – my experience of mesothelioma was seven years ago and I felt that the message is now far more positive”