To Each His Own Passion: Asbestos Advocacy Groups - Action, not just words

Today the race travels through the “old country” of Santa Ynez Valley. As the racers fly by the windmills, organic farms, vineyards, coffee shops and bakeries in and around Solvang, you can’t help admire the hearty immigrants who, around the turn of the century, resolved to re-create a living museum of Danish culture in the heart of California.

Passion and respect. The early settlers had plenty of both. They respected the simple and sustainable ways of life. And they had a love of their culture that they were proud to showcase in a strange new land.

These same forces, passion and respect, are what drive advocacy groups to serve others. In my world, I have come to know many advocates who have a passion to help asbestos cancer patients. It’s not easy. Mesothelioma is an orphan disease that historically has never received federal research funding dollars at level that is proportionate with other cancers.

An advocate is one who pleads the cause of another. As an attorney who has devoted his practice to representing patients diagnosed with asbestos cancer, I know that my client’s first priority is LIFE. They want to live. They want to watch their grandchildren graduate. They want hope. I have never met a client who said he would gladly trade his lungs for a million dollars or even a trillion dollars.

My concern for mesothelioma treatment and research is deeply personal. My father, Punch Worthington, succumbed to asbestos cancer in 2006. When I raced up in the cold rain in the Willamette Valley, Punch was always there in the feed zone ready with a bottle of water, a big grin, and a boom box belting out George Jones.  His positive aura and “go get ‘em!” attitude was contagious. He manned the front lines in the organized labor movement in the Pacific Northwest, and in some small way I’ve tried to carry on his spirit of advocacy.

In our campaign to find a cure for mesothelioma, I have worked closely with some of the world’s best doctors and scientists. I’ve been fortunate to have worked closely with like minded advocates in the formation and support of non-profit groups. So today I want to highlight a few of the advocacy groups who have soldiered tirelessly in the effort to expand treatment options for asbestos cancer patients.  

The Pacific Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute (PHLBI)

PHLBI is a non-profit medical research organization dedicated to developing advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mesothelioma. PHLBI was formed in 2003. I was one of the founders of PHLBI along with Dr. Robert Cameron, director of UCLA’s mesothelioma program.

The centerpiece of PHLBI is The David "Punch" Worthington Research Laboratory located at The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The lab is the site of research on promising prevention and treatment strategies for mesothelioma. The lab is dedicated to my father Punch, who was treated by Dr. Cameron.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)

The idea for MARF began in 1998 when I asked some of the country’s most prominent doctors the question: Does Early Stage Diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma Improve Prognosis?

The doctors I spoke to expressed the need for a way to share data with other doctors, track patient treatments and, more importantly, find a cure. So, in 1999, with the help of Dr. Harvey Pass and Dr. Robert Cameron, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) was born. MARF is a non-profit charity which advocates for mesothelioma patients by advancing research, education and awareness. MARF remains the only non-profit foundation that has invested nearly $10 million in peer-reviewed mesothelioma research grants.

Roger Worthington thanking U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois) for delivering a moving keynote speech at the 2006 MARF conference in Chicago, flanked by mesothelioma survivor and client John McNamara.		(l) Brian Glenn (Business Manager of Heat and Frost Insulators Union Local 17) standing with Roger Worthington (c) and Terry Lynch (Vice President at Large, Legislative Director and Health and Safety Director for the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Asbestos Workers and serves as a Director of the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI)

The Doctor Patient Alliance

In 2007, for the first time ever, doctors and patients collaborated in an effort to improve our litigation system, increase cancer research, and focus attention on the unique damages which mesothelioma patients endure. Together they authored a 10 page policy paper. Thirty-four of the country's top medical experts who treat mesothelioma patients took part in the paper. The experts ranged from thoracic surgeons, to pathologists, to pulmonary doctors, to oncologists to geneticists. Click here to view the policy paper.

Roger Worthington receiving the Congressman Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award in 2005. Mr. Worthington dedicated the award to his Dad Punch Worthington The Congressman Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award is presented to individuals who have worked diligently to bring the plight of asbestos victims and the dangers of asbestos to the forefront of both the political and public arena.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is an organization founded by asbestos victims and their families to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice in the fight to prevent asbestos disease. Through the efforts of its Executive Director, Linda Reinstein, and a devoted legion of volunteers, ADAO has been a leader in the effort to pass federal legislation once and for all banning the sale of asbestos-containing products in the United States.

ADAO will be holding its 5th Annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference on March 27-29, 2009 at the Manhattan Beach Marriott in Manhattan Beach, California. This year’s conference will feature expert speakers from around the globe addressing matters including identification and prevention of exposure, public health and environmental aspects of exposure and early warning symptoms of disease.
  
Speaking at the conference on Saturday March 28 will be Dr. Robert Cameron. In addition to being an innovator in the surgical management of mesothelioma, Dr. Cameron is a strong supporter of ADAO’s focus on disease prevention.
 
The Law Office of Roger G. Worthington is proud to be an educational sponsor of this year’s conference.
 
For further information or to register, go to www.AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org.

Roger Worthington - Proud Advocate for Justice and Mesothelioma Research

The Law Office of Roger G. Worthington, PC is about Action, Not Just Words. RGW, PC has contributed more than $2,590,000 to cancer research and science since 2000.

February 20, 2009