Monday, September 28, 2015

Mesothelioma Awareness Day


Hey!

So I'm here for an important cause that needs to be shared more than it already is. Cancer of any type is a very serious thing that will send chills down anyone's back It doesn't matter if you know the person affected by it, you still pray for them and feel pain for them and their loved ones. In my family, three different members have had three different types of cancers, and only one is still alive. 

I pray each day that there will be a cure, I donate to St. Jude's or any other cause that helps research or families in need. Even if you can't donate money you can help the cause by sharing awareness.

On Saturday on Instagram I shared a post about Mesothelioma. 

September 26, 2015 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day. I had heard of this type of cancer and knew it was rare, but I was not aware of all the ways you could get it or how many people were really impacted by it.

Cameron Von St. James, had contacted me about his wife Heather who is a survivor of Mesothelioma. 
She is an amazingly strong woman whose entire world was turned completely upside down just after giving
birth to her daughter.  Please read about her story 



and make yourself and those around you more aware by knowing some facts.
  • Mesothelioma Awareness Day is September 26, 2015, and the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is spreading awareness of the disease and its causes.
  • Mesothelioma is a rare but preventable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. 
  • Asbestos is a mineral that was used in consumer and construction products through the 1970's
  • It can be found in insulation, adhesives, flooring, crockpots, hairdryers, crayons and even decorative fake snow!
  • If you would like to help spread awareness, please donate your social status: http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness/#.Veb1FbxVhHw
  • Heather Von St. James is almost a 10 year survivor of mesothelioma, which was caused by exposure to asbestos on her fathers work jacket. 
  • Heather was diagnosed with mesothelioma just a few months after giving birth to her little girl.
  • Her doctor told her that without treatment- she had 15 months to live. 
  • Fortunately, she was a candidate for a surgery that involved a heated chemotherapy solution and the removal of her left lung and is now a survivor! 
  • Her and her husband Cameron now work to spread awareness of mesothelioma globally.

I was pretty shocked to see a few of the places it can be found..,hairdryers and decorative snow! It made me think alot about my childhood in my grandparents homes were I know they had quite a few items still from the 70's and prior. Think about all the old photo albums that had adhesive pages that could have asbestos in it! I know I've looked through and handled a lot of those many times.


So please spread the word, be aware and remember that it can affect anyone, even you. Share Heathers fight in honor of being a survivor for TEN YEARS. That truly is something to celebrate.



- Jess