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The day dedicated to remembering the victims of Asbestos related illness, takes place on the first Friday of July each year. Action Mesothelioma Day held annually since 2006 is commemorated globally to honour those who suffer with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos. In Liverpool each year, the charity organisation, Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group, holds an event which includes the release of doves and authoritative speakers from the field of science, medicine and from the charities and organisations supporting victims and their families.
In a press release issued today, John Flanagan MAVS Support Officer, pictured above (left) he said:
Members of the public often ask this one simply question whenever the asbestos related disease is highlighted by public events, news media, and by medical proffessionals: What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. Action Mesothelioma Day is a day when we gather to remember all those who have lost their lives to asbestos disease, and to campaign for justice for all asbestos victims. Around 40,000 men and women have died of mesothelioma since the UK asbestos ban in 1999. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates a similar number will die over the next 20 years. Mesothelioma takes 20-60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos so, although no longer imported or used, asbestos is still a problem for for some time to come. Many public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, workplaces and homes still have asbestos in the fabric of the building, posing risks of exposure to future generations unless safely removed. This is not a legacy problem. People are dying today from this disease and thousands more will die before the epidemic plays out, unless a cure or improved treatments are discovered. The HSE statistics on deaths through asbestos related illness, can be downloaded from the Unionsafety E-Library by using the keyword 'Mesothelioma' or 'Asbestos' to search for relevant documents: or by searching the Category 'Asbestos' to select and download documents about the disease and the issues around it.
Rodger began by saying that he was once again honoured to be invited to yet another event organised by the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group. Rodger welcomed everyone attending asked everyone to be upstanding and introduced the three Merseyside dignitries pictured left to right below:
Mayor of Knowsley, Councillor Eddie Connor
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp CBE was introduced by Roger Phillips and he opened the day's event and spoke in support of the work being done by the various organisations represented - not missing the opportunity to tease Rodger Philips saying there is always the opportunity for thgose 'speared' by him in interviews to get their own back!. He said: "I would like to thank the Merseyside Asbestos Victim’s Support Group for inviting me here today. It is such an important event to commemorate those that have passed away from mesothelioma and those of you that are living with this condition. I am aware that the HSE released data just yesterday detailing the number of people that are contracting this condition and how many have passed away. The figures make very sad reading indeed. As well as honouring those that have passed away I am aware that the other aim of this Day is to raise awareness of asbestos and the dangers that it poses to protect the next generation from this terrible condition. To this end I congratulate the HSE’ latest campaign of awareness of the dangers of asbestos, particularly for construction workers.
Scroll Of Remembrance Following his speech, tea and coffee was made available giving the attendees the opportunity to view the Scroll of Remembrance which features the names and personal tributes to those who have passed away as a result of being exposed to asbestos and developing Mesothelioma. Click on the pic below to view the actual scroll as projected on the day. (Opens in seperate page)
The release of the Spirit of Hope Doves then took place in the adjacent St Nicholas Church gardens.
Following the release of the Doves, the day's event continued with a buffet lunch and the chance to visit the stalls and speak with representatives from the various organisations that support today's annual event: Asbestos Law Partnership, Irwin Mitchell, Leigh Day, McMillan Cancer Support, Slater & Gordon, and Thompsons
Following the release of the 'Doves Of Peace' the event continued with speeches and presentations in the Racquets Club Hotel on Chapel Street adjacent to St Nicholas Church and it's beautifully kept gardens. Event Presentations There were three key speakers: Alison Wellens from the Health and Safety Executive Margaret Greenwood MP, Wirral West The first presentation was by guest speaker from the HSE, Alison Wellens who spoke about the Health & Safety Executives position on Mesothelioma and on the advise available to all from the HSE website on the subject of Asbestos related disease.
Commenting upon her attendance today, she said: You can watch Alison's presentation below:
Peter gave the next presentation after being 'talked into it' by John Flanagan he said.
He spoke of the many years of experience within the building inddustry in Liverpool and shared some horrifying incidents of asbestos exposure not only to the builders concerned, but in one case possibly the general public in the streets below and adjacent to the building from which asbestos was allowed to spread into the air within and outside Here is Peter's presentation:
Margaret Greenwood MP for Wirral West gave the final presentation of the day:
“However, people with asbestos-related diseases can face real difficulties when it comes to securing financial support from the Department of Work and Pensions. “The use of asbestos in a very wide range of workplaces has been a huge health risk to working people, and its continued presence in buildings is still a matter of great concern. “The government must come forward with a clear strategy to identify and deal with the asbestos in public buildings throughout the UK. They must also ensure that the processes by which victims of asbestos can receive financial support are as smooth as possible.” Here is Margaret's presentation:
Event Stalls Stalls from Asbestos Law Partnership, Irwin Mitchell, Leigh Day, McMillan Cancer Support, Slater & Gordon, and Thompsons were featured at the event; along with of course the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group stall.
and......last but not least our superb supporters at the event This event was organised by the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group (MAVSG) (Registered Charity 1178374). The charity can be contacted on 0151 236 1895. Source Photo/Video: Chris Ingram / Unionsafety report: Chris Ingram / John Flanagan, MAVS Support Officer
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“This is the 30th anniversary of our group and it’s a sad reflection on society that registered charities like ours are still necessary when the diseases we are still seeing today are the same first identified in 1898 by the first woman Factory Inspector."
The Action Mesothelioma Day 2023 event began in the Racquets Club Hotel in Chapel Street and was Chaired by Rodger Philips in the opening session, who Merseysiders will remember for his lunch time programme on Radio Merseyside.
His last event was the International Workers Memorial Day that took place on 28th April this year which was organised by the IWMD Merseyside Committee of which John Flanagan of MAVSG was part.
"The Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group does incredibly important work in supporting victims of asbestos and their families who endure great suffering and distress as a result of diseases such as mesothelioma. 
