Patients and their families will be gathering to commemorate Action Mesothelioma Day on Friday July 4, 2025 at St. Nicholas Parish Church, Liverpool for a dove release to remember all those who have died of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos.
Action Mesothelioma Day (AMD) is held in all the major cities in the UK to raise awareness of the disease which, together with the other conditions of asbestosis, asbestos related lung cancer and asbestos related pleural thickening causes over 7,000+ deaths per year in the UK and approximately 240,000 deaths globally.
The event is being organised by the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group with all proceeds going to research into finding better treatment and a cure for these insidious diseases.
Professor Judy Coulson from the University of Liverpool carrying out research into mesothelioma said:
“Action Mesothelioma Day is an important annual event to raise awareness of this devastating disease. I am delighted to be invited to talk this year about research into better understanding the disease to develop new treatments or target existing treatment more effectively.”
Mr. Julius Asante-Siaw, Surgeon from the Liverpool heart and Chest Hospital said:
“As a surgeon, I witness firsthand the profound impact mesothelioma has on patients and their families. Action Mesothelioma Day serves as a vital opportunity to emphasize the role of surgery in early detection, advancing treatment, and offering support to all those affected.”
Professor Coulson and Mr. Asante-Siaw will be speaking at the meeting being held after the Dove Release.
The Mayor of Knowsley, Councillor Ken McGlashan, said:
“It is a tragic fact that the UK has the highest rate of mesothelioma per head of population in the world. It is vital that we continue to raise awareness of this devastating disease and to ensure research into mesothelioma is supported and effective treatment can be provided.”
John Flanagan, Manager at Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group said “We will be calling on the government for more research funding into mesothelioma, we are presently supporting Professor Coulson and Dr. Sarah Barnett in a collaborative project using a new Hen’s egg model to test potential personalised therapies for mesothelioma”.
The Civic Dignitaries attending the event will be:
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor William Shortall.
The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Brian Kenny.
The Mayor of Knowsley, Councillor Ken McGlashan.
Source: MAVSG
See also: Are We About To See Asbestos Products Being Imported To The UK Once Again?
