On September 26th , individuals across the country came together for Mesothelioma Awareness Day, turning the day into a powerful reminder that awareness can create action and action can create change.
From wearing blue at work and school to sharing stories on social media, talking with friends and family, and supporting mesothelioma research and patient programs, hundreds of people across the country found ways to make their voices heard.
And our community showed up in an extraordinary way.
A Challenge That Made a Difference
For 48 hours surrounding Mesothelioma Awareness Day, The Mesothelioma Foundation challenged our community to match $26,000 in gifts pledged by members of our Board of Directors and generous community supporters.
The response was incredible.
Halfway through the challenge another matching gift came in bringing the match total to $36,000.
At the end of 48 hours, our community came together to raise $104,935.63 from 189 individual donors.
Every gift represented more than a donation. It represented a commitment to patients and families, a belief in the importance of research, and a determination to keep mesothelioma from limiting lives.
These funds will help The Mesothelioma Foundation continue its work to support patients and families, advance research, provide resources and connections, and advocate for the mesothelioma community.
Celebrating Ten Years of The Em for Emily
This year’s Awareness Day Challenge also included a very special gift from Jack and Ellen Brown, who donated $26,000 from their annual event, The Em for Emily.
For ten years, The Em for Emily has brought people together in memory of Emily and raised critical support for the mesothelioma community. This year marked the 10th and final year of the event, making their generous gift especially meaningful.
We are deeply grateful to Jack and Ellen for the love, dedication, and generosity they have poured into this community over the past decade. Their commitment has helped keep Emily’s memory alive while making a tangible difference for people and families affected by mesothelioma.
Painting the World Blue
Money was only one part of this year’s Awareness Day.
Across the country, people wore blue, painted their communities blue, shared information, and started conversations about mesothelioma.
For some, wearing blue was a way to honor someone they have lost. For others, it was a show of support for a loved one living with mesothelioma. And for many, it was an opportunity to learn more about a disease that remains unfamiliar to far too many people.
Every conversation matters.
Every story shared helps someone recognize that they are not alone.
Every person who learns about mesothelioma becomes another person who can help spread awareness.
Thank You for Showing Up
Mesothelioma Awareness Day was created to make sure mesothelioma is seen, understood, and remembered. More than two decades later, our community continues to prove the power of coming together.
To the 189 donors who contributed to this year’s Challenge: thank you.
To everyone who wore blue, shared a post, told their story, contacted local media, organized an event, or simply talked to someone about mesothelioma: thank you.
To Jack and Ellen Brown and everyone who has supported The Em for Emily over the past ten years: thank you for turning remembrance into action.
And to every patient, caregiver, survivor, family member, advocate, researcher, and supporter who continues to stand with this community: we see you, we hear you, and we are grateful for you.
This Mesothelioma Awareness Day, you helped us raise more than funds.
You helped raise awareness. You helped raise hope. And you helped move the mesothelioma community forward.
#MoreThanMeso #MesotheliomaAwarenessDay #PaintTheWorldBlue
