BERKSHIRE ASBESTOS SUPPORT GROUP 

Action Mesothelioma Day 2017

7 July 2017

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The Berkshire Asbestos Group (BASG) were delighted to welcome our newly appointed MP for Reading East  Matt Rodda to chair our annual action Mesothelioma event.  This year it took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Reading on Friday 7 July 2017. 

 

Dr Christopher Davies was our first speaker.  Dr Davies is a Consultant Respiratory Physician at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.  He has a particular interest in pleural disease and lung cancer. Dr Davies sees and treats many people in the area suffering from asbestos related conditions. 

 

Deirdre Smith a local businesswoman whose father died from Mesothelioma, gave a heartfelt and most moving talk about how her father’s illness, and how his Mesothelioma had impacted the life of her family.

 

Our final speaker was Amy Kerr, a research nurse with a special interest in Mesothelioma.  Amy has recently been awarded a grant from Mesothelioma UK and Pat Stone Mesothelioma Support (both of which are Mesothelioma charities) to conduct a study into a non-invasive method of diagnosis of Mesothelioma using Structured Light Plethysmography (SLP).

 

The speeches were followed by a dove release which took place on the balcony overlooking the River Thames.  The doves were released by the relatives of those who have died from asbestos related disease, followed by a minute’s silence to remember all those who have died.  It was very moving to hear the stories and hugely encouraging that there are significant number of trials and advances being made in medical research, in an effort to find a cure for Mesothelioma.

  

We are very grateful to Matt Rodda MP and to our speakers and all those who have made Action Mesothelioma 2017 such a successful event.

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