Merlin Olsen, an actor and football player best known for his role as Jonathon Garvey in Little House on the Prairie (a series about a pioneer family set in the 19th century in Minnesota), recently revealed that exposure to asbestos when he was young led to his contracting mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare and surprisingly lethal form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelial tissues, or linings, around the heart, lungs and abdominal organs.
Appearing as pleural mesothelioma, or lung cancer, in more than 50 percent of cases, the disease can also appear as pericardial mesothelioma, affecting the heart, in about 5 percent of cases, and as peritoneal mesothelioma, arising in the abdomen, in about 2 percent of cases. Even rarer incidences - of mesothelioma of the tunical tissues (which surround male and female sexual organs) - occur in less than one case per million.
Exact rates of mesothelioma remain difficult to determine due to the fact that doctors frequently misdiagnose it; patients who die from it are not always autopsied; and not all autopsies confirm its presence.
Mesothelioma is particularly lethal because it lies dormant for decades - as it did in Olsen's case - finally appearing when so many vital tissues and/or organs have been implicated that eradicating it is almost impossible. Most mesothelioma sufferers are given about a year to live.
Aggressive treatments involving surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with third generation cancer drugs can improve outcomes by about four months, but the best hope is early diagnosis, now made possible by novel testing of pleural effusion fluid for a particular protein marker.
For Olsen, who appeared in about 60 percent of the episodes of Little House on the Prairie, which ran for almost a decade (from 1972 to 1983), the source of his mesothelioma is most likely when he was about 11 years old.
In a case filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Olsen says he worked after school doing manual labor, which caused his exposure. He was also exposed as an adult, while handling drywall. Olsen's suit - which seeks damages from NBC Studios, NBC Universal, and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, as well as Sherwin-Williams, the house paint manufacturer, and Lennox Industries, a heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) manufacturer which used the fibrous mineral as insulation in its products - has not yet been assigned a trial date. Olsen is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
For many television viewers, and for football fans in particular, Olsen is known as a 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned a slot on 1999's millennium list of 100 Greatest Football Players.
Olsen also played for the St. Louis Rams as a defensive lineman, earning a slot in the Football Hall of Fame, and for the Utah State Aggies, which intends to rename the Romney Stadium playing surface after what Utah State University President Stan Albrecht called "arguably the greatest football player in school history", referring to Olsen.
Olsen, who currently lives in Park City, is seeking damages in an unspecified amount, and was unable to attend the Sunday game announcing the renaming honor due to the state of his health. His son, Nathan, attended instead. The dedication comes almost exactly 50 years after Olsen led the Utah State team to a pair of bowl games. His jersey, No. 71, was retired several decades ago.
Olsen finished his football career and moved into acting and broadcasting, playing roles in television series like Little House, Father Murphy and Aaron's Way. He was also a television spokesperson for FTD Florists.
Source
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gould’s Doctors Cleared By Jury
A medical malpractice suit brought against two doctors at a Harvard-affiliated hospital on behalf of a deceased Harvard professor was resolved Friday, ending in the exonerations of the doctors and awarding no damages to the plaintiff after nearly five years of legal battles.
In May 2002, renowned evolutionary biologist Stephen J. Gould died at age 60 from lung cancer just 10 weeks after doctors found the tumor, which had already spread to his liver, brain, and other organs. His wife, Rhonda Roland Shearer, brought suit three years later, claiming that the lesion that became cancerous was already evident in an X-ray taken of Gould’s chest in Feb. 2001.
Shearer named three doctors in the suit—Rebecca L. Dyson, who had examined chest X-rays taken in Feb. 2001 at Harvard-affiliate Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Harvard Medical School professor Robert J. Mayer, an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who had been Gould’s physician since 1993; and Salvatore G. Viscomi, who was exonerated earlier.
After deliberating for nearly five hours, the jury determined that neither doctor had been negligent, according to a clerk at the Mass. Middlesex Superior Court, where the trial was held.
“We are grateful that the jury looked at all the evidence and confirmed our view that Dr. Mayer provided high quality, appropriate, and compassionate care,” Dana-Farber spokesman Steven R. Singer said.
Mayer and Dyson’s lawyer William J. Dailey, Jr., credited the win to “very strong expert testimony on the part of the defendants indicating that they had complied with all practices at all times.”
The suit has been in the works since it was first filed in May 2005, and the trial itself lasted three weeks —an average length of time for a medical malpractice suit, according to the court’s clerk.
Gould had battled serious health issues earlier in his life. In 1982 he was diagnosed with abdominal mesothelioma, a cancerous growth in the tissue coating many organs that usually comes about as a result of asbestos exposure.
Gould recovered from the mesothelioma and “functioned at a very high level,” according to Dailey. Doctors at Dana-Farber, including Mayer, continued to follow Gould’s health. But Gould also suffered from small bowel obstructions, which Dailey described as painful and debilitating intestinal blockages, and was hospitalized in New York in March 2002 for his sixth such obstruction when the lung cancer was ultimately found, already at the final stage of progression.
Gould, a winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for “The Mismeasure of Man,” developed the theory known as “punctuated equilibrium,” which describes evolution as a sporadic, jerky process over a period of time rather than a smooth, gradual change in traits.
According to past Crimson coverage of the lawsuit, Gould was accustomed to a seven-figure income and was in the process of negotiating a $2 million book contract.
In May 2002, renowned evolutionary biologist Stephen J. Gould died at age 60 from lung cancer just 10 weeks after doctors found the tumor, which had already spread to his liver, brain, and other organs. His wife, Rhonda Roland Shearer, brought suit three years later, claiming that the lesion that became cancerous was already evident in an X-ray taken of Gould’s chest in Feb. 2001.
Shearer named three doctors in the suit—Rebecca L. Dyson, who had examined chest X-rays taken in Feb. 2001 at Harvard-affiliate Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Harvard Medical School professor Robert J. Mayer, an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who had been Gould’s physician since 1993; and Salvatore G. Viscomi, who was exonerated earlier.
After deliberating for nearly five hours, the jury determined that neither doctor had been negligent, according to a clerk at the Mass. Middlesex Superior Court, where the trial was held.
“We are grateful that the jury looked at all the evidence and confirmed our view that Dr. Mayer provided high quality, appropriate, and compassionate care,” Dana-Farber spokesman Steven R. Singer said.
Mayer and Dyson’s lawyer William J. Dailey, Jr., credited the win to “very strong expert testimony on the part of the defendants indicating that they had complied with all practices at all times.”
The suit has been in the works since it was first filed in May 2005, and the trial itself lasted three weeks —an average length of time for a medical malpractice suit, according to the court’s clerk.
Gould had battled serious health issues earlier in his life. In 1982 he was diagnosed with abdominal mesothelioma, a cancerous growth in the tissue coating many organs that usually comes about as a result of asbestos exposure.
Gould recovered from the mesothelioma and “functioned at a very high level,” according to Dailey. Doctors at Dana-Farber, including Mayer, continued to follow Gould’s health. But Gould also suffered from small bowel obstructions, which Dailey described as painful and debilitating intestinal blockages, and was hospitalized in New York in March 2002 for his sixth such obstruction when the lung cancer was ultimately found, already at the final stage of progression.
Gould, a winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for “The Mismeasure of Man,” developed the theory known as “punctuated equilibrium,” which describes evolution as a sporadic, jerky process over a period of time rather than a smooth, gradual change in traits.
According to past Crimson coverage of the lawsuit, Gould was accustomed to a seven-figure income and was in the process of negotiating a $2 million book contract.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sokolove Law’s MesoRC Site Serves Illinois Mesothelioma Patients and their Families
Sokolove Law LLC, the leader in improving how people obtain legal services, has compiled information and resources for mesothelioma victims and their families living in Illinois on its Mesothelioma Resource Center website, MesoRC.com. The MesoRC.com site is designed to assist and provide information to those whose lives have been affected by mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.
To date, Sokolove Law has helped hundreds of mesothelioma and asbestos victims and their families resulting in Illinois gross settlements totaling $235 million dollars.
In addition, the Illinois resource section offers information on various social services in the areas of transportation, social clubs, utilities, veteran services and more to support those who have been affected by mesothelioma. Victims can also search for area mesothelioma doctors throughout Illinois that specialize in mesothelioma.
2000-3000 people continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. While there is no known cure, new research and mesothelioma treatment options are being developed which increase survival and quality of life for mesothelioma patients.
“We are proud of the work we’ve done over the last three decades on behalf of those who’ve been afflicted with asbestos-related illnesses,” said Jim Sokolove, Founder, Sokolove Law. “By creating a more efficient and useful place for information and communication, we hope to assist even more victims and their families, especially pertaining to their particular state.”
Source
To date, Sokolove Law has helped hundreds of mesothelioma and asbestos victims and their families resulting in Illinois gross settlements totaling $235 million dollars.
In addition, the Illinois resource section offers information on various social services in the areas of transportation, social clubs, utilities, veteran services and more to support those who have been affected by mesothelioma. Victims can also search for area mesothelioma doctors throughout Illinois that specialize in mesothelioma.
2000-3000 people continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. While there is no known cure, new research and mesothelioma treatment options are being developed which increase survival and quality of life for mesothelioma patients.
“We are proud of the work we’ve done over the last three decades on behalf of those who’ve been afflicted with asbestos-related illnesses,” said Jim Sokolove, Founder, Sokolove Law. “By creating a more efficient and useful place for information and communication, we hope to assist even more victims and their families, especially pertaining to their particular state.”
Source
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Nurse, Mesothelioma Patient to be Honored at Asbestos Disease Awareness Conference
A nurse diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2002 will be honored at the 6th Annual Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Asbestos Disease Awareness Conference in 2010.
The conference will take place in Chicago, Illinois from April 9 – 11 and will present June Breit, RN, with the Alan Reinstein Memorial Award, an award created to honor former ADAO president Alan Reinstein, who passed away from mesothelioma in 2006.
Following her mesothelioma diagnosis, Breit became extremely active in the mesothelioma community, advocating for stronger awareness about the asbestos-related cancer and meeting with the governor of Pennsylvania to implement Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the state.
Breit worked for nearly 30 years as a registered nurse and was familiar with the poor prognosis typically associated with mesothelioma when she was diagnosed. When her mesothelioma symptoms first surfaced and she experienced difficulty breathing, Breit initially thought she had the flu.
Her doctor suspected pneumonia, but when an X-ray revealed the presence of fluid in her left lung, a biopsy was preformed and the presence of malignant mesothelioma was confirmed.
Breit turned to treatment to combat the cancer, undergoing an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a surgical procedure in which portions of the lung, the lining of the lung and the diaphragm are removed. She also received chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
One of the biggest surprises following treatment Breit, an avid swimmer, experienced came when she tried swimming again. “I sank like a stone instead!” she said. “Turns out you need two lungs to be able to be able to float, so now I use my granddaughter’s noodle when we go to the pool.”
Today, seven years after her mesothelioma diagnosis, Breit continues to devote her efforts towards banning asbestos and increasing funding for the creation of additional treatment options for mesothelioma patients.
“I hate this disease, and pretty much consider myself to have been murdered by a society that chose to let asbestos be used even though it was known to be toxic,” said Breit.
Source
The conference will take place in Chicago, Illinois from April 9 – 11 and will present June Breit, RN, with the Alan Reinstein Memorial Award, an award created to honor former ADAO president Alan Reinstein, who passed away from mesothelioma in 2006.
Following her mesothelioma diagnosis, Breit became extremely active in the mesothelioma community, advocating for stronger awareness about the asbestos-related cancer and meeting with the governor of Pennsylvania to implement Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the state.
Breit worked for nearly 30 years as a registered nurse and was familiar with the poor prognosis typically associated with mesothelioma when she was diagnosed. When her mesothelioma symptoms first surfaced and she experienced difficulty breathing, Breit initially thought she had the flu.
Her doctor suspected pneumonia, but when an X-ray revealed the presence of fluid in her left lung, a biopsy was preformed and the presence of malignant mesothelioma was confirmed.
Breit turned to treatment to combat the cancer, undergoing an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a surgical procedure in which portions of the lung, the lining of the lung and the diaphragm are removed. She also received chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
One of the biggest surprises following treatment Breit, an avid swimmer, experienced came when she tried swimming again. “I sank like a stone instead!” she said. “Turns out you need two lungs to be able to be able to float, so now I use my granddaughter’s noodle when we go to the pool.”
Today, seven years after her mesothelioma diagnosis, Breit continues to devote her efforts towards banning asbestos and increasing funding for the creation of additional treatment options for mesothelioma patients.
“I hate this disease, and pretty much consider myself to have been murdered by a society that chose to let asbestos be used even though it was known to be toxic,” said Breit.
Source
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Mesothelioma Patient Dies, Wife Demands Investigation
An English train driver has succumbed to mesothelioma. Now, his widow has spoken before a coroner's inquest and unveiled the truth behind her husband's asbestos-related cancer. Frank White died in June of this year. He was 74. He was an employee of British rail for nearly 50 years, and he was exposed to asbestos while on the job. While training to become a driver, White was instructed to clean out fire boxes that were rife with asbestos.
His widow, Freda, 80, said: "Frank would tell me about how some of the workers would make snowballs out of the asbestos to throw at each other while they were messing about, or make it into a football and kick it about. He was a fit man who was never ill. He tended to his allotment every day for 35 years and had years in him until he fell ill. I feel really cheated and angry and feel something should have been done about this years ago. Companies must have known it [asbestos] was dangerous."
Mr. and Mrs. White have two children, David, 48, and Susan Wood, 45. Said daughter Susan, "He was young-looking and strong for his age, which makes it all the more sad that he was taken from us by this disease. He lived for his job and would not have done anything else."
The coroner's inquest recorded a verdict of industrial disease, and the coroner was satisfied that Mr. White's mesothelioma was caused by his exposure to asbestos during his time working for British Rail.
Physicians in the UK, like Dr. Robert Winter of Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, as well as physicians here in the US continue to work towards a cure for mesothelioma cancer.
Source
His widow, Freda, 80, said: "Frank would tell me about how some of the workers would make snowballs out of the asbestos to throw at each other while they were messing about, or make it into a football and kick it about. He was a fit man who was never ill. He tended to his allotment every day for 35 years and had years in him until he fell ill. I feel really cheated and angry and feel something should have been done about this years ago. Companies must have known it [asbestos] was dangerous."
Mr. and Mrs. White have two children, David, 48, and Susan Wood, 45. Said daughter Susan, "He was young-looking and strong for his age, which makes it all the more sad that he was taken from us by this disease. He lived for his job and would not have done anything else."
The coroner's inquest recorded a verdict of industrial disease, and the coroner was satisfied that Mr. White's mesothelioma was caused by his exposure to asbestos during his time working for British Rail.
Physicians in the UK, like Dr. Robert Winter of Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, as well as physicians here in the US continue to work towards a cure for mesothelioma cancer.
Source
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
NEW MESOTHELIOMA DETECTION TEST READY FOR DISTRIBUTION
Rosetta Genomics, a cancer research firm based in Philadelphia, has reached an agreement with Super Religare Laboratories, a biotech firm headquartered in India, to distribute Rosetta's new cancer testing methods throughout the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. The deal includes making the new tests available in countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The new tests, called "miRview" tests, use genetic templates that carry certain molecular sequences based on their "microRNA". Many microRNA sequences have been linked to cancer and these new tests are among the first ones that use these sequences to detect diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The three tests include one under the trademarked name of "miRviewTM meso". This test uses microRNA markers to determine if a particular tumor is mesothelioma or another type of lung cancer. Mesothelioma often occurs in patients who have had long-term exposure to asbestos. Over time, as the patient inhales asbestos fibers, these fibers irritate the lining of the lungs and mutate the cells into malignant tumors. Since the symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to those of other lung diseases, doctors frequently have a difficult time diagnosing it. With the miRviewTM meso test, doctors will be able to differentiate a diagnosis of mesothelioma with one of other forms of lung cancer.
According to Super Religare Laboratories Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sanjeev Chaudhry, the new tests and the partnership with Rosetta will reduce the time it takes to receive an accurate diagnosis down from five days to forty-eight hours. Not only would doctors receive the test results faster, said Chaudhry, but also the improved accuracy for diseases such as mesothelioma would help a great deal with early detection of the disease. The agreement allows for SRL to send samples to Rosetta's labs in blocks of a specially formulated type of paraffin. Rosetta then uses the miRviewTM meso test to determine if the sample has the genetic markers that signify the presence of mesothelioma.
Dr. Chaudhry also stated that the new idea that microRNA can be used to distinguish cancer cases is quickly becoming recognized in the cancer research community over the last ten years. With regard to these discoveries, Dr. Chaudhry's firm has created an important relationship with Rosetta Genomics in order to provide the first diagnostic tests using microRNA for the welfare of patients in this part of the world.
In addition to the miRviewTM meso test, Dr Chaudhry also announced that two other tests would be made available through the distribution agreement with Rosetta. One of these tests, called "miRviewTM squamous", helps doctors tell the difference between squamous and non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until recently, oncologists did not have accurate, standardized tests that allowed them to differentiate between the two forms of the disease. The other test, called "miRviewTM mets", allows doctors to determine the original site of a cancer that has metastasized. Since the best way to tread a metastasized cancer is at its primary source, the miRviewTM mets test will help doctors determine the proper treatment method depending on that source.
Source
The new tests, called "miRview" tests, use genetic templates that carry certain molecular sequences based on their "microRNA". Many microRNA sequences have been linked to cancer and these new tests are among the first ones that use these sequences to detect diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The three tests include one under the trademarked name of "miRviewTM meso". This test uses microRNA markers to determine if a particular tumor is mesothelioma or another type of lung cancer. Mesothelioma often occurs in patients who have had long-term exposure to asbestos. Over time, as the patient inhales asbestos fibers, these fibers irritate the lining of the lungs and mutate the cells into malignant tumors. Since the symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to those of other lung diseases, doctors frequently have a difficult time diagnosing it. With the miRviewTM meso test, doctors will be able to differentiate a diagnosis of mesothelioma with one of other forms of lung cancer.
According to Super Religare Laboratories Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sanjeev Chaudhry, the new tests and the partnership with Rosetta will reduce the time it takes to receive an accurate diagnosis down from five days to forty-eight hours. Not only would doctors receive the test results faster, said Chaudhry, but also the improved accuracy for diseases such as mesothelioma would help a great deal with early detection of the disease. The agreement allows for SRL to send samples to Rosetta's labs in blocks of a specially formulated type of paraffin. Rosetta then uses the miRviewTM meso test to determine if the sample has the genetic markers that signify the presence of mesothelioma.
Dr. Chaudhry also stated that the new idea that microRNA can be used to distinguish cancer cases is quickly becoming recognized in the cancer research community over the last ten years. With regard to these discoveries, Dr. Chaudhry's firm has created an important relationship with Rosetta Genomics in order to provide the first diagnostic tests using microRNA for the welfare of patients in this part of the world.
In addition to the miRviewTM meso test, Dr Chaudhry also announced that two other tests would be made available through the distribution agreement with Rosetta. One of these tests, called "miRviewTM squamous", helps doctors tell the difference between squamous and non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until recently, oncologists did not have accurate, standardized tests that allowed them to differentiate between the two forms of the disease. The other test, called "miRviewTM mets", allows doctors to determine the original site of a cancer that has metastasized. Since the best way to tread a metastasized cancer is at its primary source, the miRviewTM mets test will help doctors determine the proper treatment method depending on that source.
Source
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wife Vows to Continue to Fight for Mesothelioma Cure
Shelly Kozicki continues her fight for a mesothelioma cure and for a ban on asbestos after her husband Craig Kozicki lost his 11 year battle to the deadly cancer on April 1, 2009. While helping her husband beat peritoneal mesothelioma, Shelly dedicated her time to learning as much as she could about the causes and treatments for mesothelioma, then became an advocate and fundraiser to find a cure for the cancer.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma can affect the lungs, the heart or the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects less than 10% of mesothelioma patients, and develops in the abdomen in the mesothelial cells that form a layer called the peritoneum. Like all types of mesothelioma, there is no known cure for the disease.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Craig Kozicki and his wife Shelly were devastated when Craig was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 42 with mesothelioma. Craig chose an aggressive, tri-modal treatment approach offered by Dr. Taub and Dr. Chabot at the Columbia Presbyterian Cancer Center in New York City. Craig underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in an effort to increase his survival rate. Although met with various setbacks throughout his years of treatment, Craig was able to return to work full-time, enjoy various sports including golf, and continue a normal life with his family including taking vacations and even walking his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
Seeing firsthand the pain and suffering caused by mesothelioma, the Kozickis became activists for mesothelioma victims and for halting the use of asbestos in the United States so future generations will not have to be concerned with developing mesothelioma. Craig challenged his physicians with his treatment with experimental surgeries, and newly devised chemotherapy cocktails – all the while inspiring other patients to fight the disease. Craig continued to share his story as a long-term mesothelioma cancer survivor throughout his 11 year battle.
Partnership with Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Shelly and Craig joined the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) where Shelly found an organization that she could support and lean on while she began to urge the government to ban asbestos in the United States, and to increase the research towards finding a cure.
Shelly became MARF’s most effective volunteer fundraiser. Through her efforts she raised $100,000 that funded a federal government researcher at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Ho, funded by the "Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Grant in Honor of Craig Kozicki" has had early success focusing on developing antibodies to fight the cancer.
Volunteers of the Year
Shelly and Craig were named the 2009 MARF volunteers of the year. Shelly attended the MARF Symposium in Washington, D.C., and accepted the award for herself, and posthumously, for her husband. During her acceptance speech Shelly vowed to continue to fund additional grants to continue the research effort. She then challenged the attendees to support the fundraising effort resulting in over $100,000being raised during the event. That is the first time a plea for funding has ever been made at the Symposium.
Shelly, along with her family and friends, continue to reach out to the public through a blog and through various fundraising efforts including 5K runs. One is being held on Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26th. In addition, donations can be made directly to MARF in memory of Craig Kozicki. Shelly said she promised Craig that she "would continue to fight for what is right…And that is finding a cure and stopping the importing of asbestos into the US.”
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma can affect the lungs, the heart or the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects less than 10% of mesothelioma patients, and develops in the abdomen in the mesothelial cells that form a layer called the peritoneum. Like all types of mesothelioma, there is no known cure for the disease.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Craig Kozicki and his wife Shelly were devastated when Craig was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 42 with mesothelioma. Craig chose an aggressive, tri-modal treatment approach offered by Dr. Taub and Dr. Chabot at the Columbia Presbyterian Cancer Center in New York City. Craig underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in an effort to increase his survival rate. Although met with various setbacks throughout his years of treatment, Craig was able to return to work full-time, enjoy various sports including golf, and continue a normal life with his family including taking vacations and even walking his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
Seeing firsthand the pain and suffering caused by mesothelioma, the Kozickis became activists for mesothelioma victims and for halting the use of asbestos in the United States so future generations will not have to be concerned with developing mesothelioma. Craig challenged his physicians with his treatment with experimental surgeries, and newly devised chemotherapy cocktails – all the while inspiring other patients to fight the disease. Craig continued to share his story as a long-term mesothelioma cancer survivor throughout his 11 year battle.
Partnership with Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Shelly and Craig joined the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) where Shelly found an organization that she could support and lean on while she began to urge the government to ban asbestos in the United States, and to increase the research towards finding a cure.
Shelly became MARF’s most effective volunteer fundraiser. Through her efforts she raised $100,000 that funded a federal government researcher at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Ho, funded by the "Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Grant in Honor of Craig Kozicki" has had early success focusing on developing antibodies to fight the cancer.
Volunteers of the Year
Shelly and Craig were named the 2009 MARF volunteers of the year. Shelly attended the MARF Symposium in Washington, D.C., and accepted the award for herself, and posthumously, for her husband. During her acceptance speech Shelly vowed to continue to fund additional grants to continue the research effort. She then challenged the attendees to support the fundraising effort resulting in over $100,000being raised during the event. That is the first time a plea for funding has ever been made at the Symposium.
Shelly, along with her family and friends, continue to reach out to the public through a blog and through various fundraising efforts including 5K runs. One is being held on Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26th. In addition, donations can be made directly to MARF in memory of Craig Kozicki. Shelly said she promised Craig that she "would continue to fight for what is right…And that is finding a cure and stopping the importing of asbestos into the US.”
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