With this week being Global Awareness Week, I got in contact with Cameron Von St. James to share as much information as I could with my earnest followers about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer. He shared the moving story about his wife Heather, who has been a 10 year survivor of mesothelioma after receiving a diagnosis and a 15 month life expectancy if she received no treatment. I was so moved by her experience, I earnestly felt that her story and awareness to the risk of asbestos exposure needed to be shared.
“Without treatment, I wouldn’t live past 15 months. In November of 2005 my doctor said I had malignant pleural mesothelioma. He said “cancer”, but all I heard was that I might not be able to raise my three month old daughter, and my husband might become a widower after just six and a half years of marriage. I learned that my father, a man who worked in drywall construction, had unknowingly exposed his own little girl to asbestos through his work jacket. Treatment options were limited and there was no guarantee. Today, I’ve outlived my original prognosis and continue to raise awareness of this terrible disease.” – Heather Von St. James, Beating The Odds
According to Mesothelioma.com’s blog post 5 Ways to Show Support During Asbestos Awareness Week , exposure to asbestos was generally thought to be a risk only to workers on sites where asbestos was once used or is currently being used. However, secondhand exposure can occur to loved ones when workers come into contact with asbestos, they carry the fibers home on their clothing. Veterans, teachers who work in older school buildings, workers who renovate older homes, firefighters, people that live in areas with naturally occurring asbestos and many others are also at risk for exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure and there are many misconceptions today that we are no longer being exposed to asbestos, however reports are finding that we are. With numerous older built schools still containing asbestos fibers, children and teachers are those among the most at risk of asbestos exposure. Read more: http://www.healthychild.org/five-myths-about-asbestos-in-schools/
This Asbestos Awareness Week, be informed, be aware and be safe. Use the infographic and links below for more information on Asbestos Awareness Week, asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, and Heather’s beautiful journey, miraculous survival and inspirational story!
x. earnest mom.
Read more:
https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos#asbestos
http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/
http://www.healthychild.org/five-myths-about-asbestos-in-schools/
earnest mom 