Alton Miles for Meso Race Raises Record-High $30,000 for Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

Nearly 1,000 attended 5K fundraising race hosted by mesothelioma law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy

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Oct 19, 2015, 02:11 ET

ALTON, Ill., Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is proud to announce its 7^th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 2K Fun Run/Walk on Sept. 26 raised a record high of more than $30,000 for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a national non-profit based in Los Angeles. ADAO was co-founded by Linda Reinstein in 2004 after her husband Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma and is dedicated to securing a global ban on asbestos, a toxic substance still imported by the United States. Alan Reinstein lost his battle in 2006.

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"More than 12,000 Americans die every year from preventable asbestos-caused diseases," said Linda Reinstein. "For each life lost, shattered families are left behind. Events like Miles for Meso provide healing and allow us to join together and increase awareness that asbestos remains legal and lethal in the USA today. ADAO sincerely thanks Simmons Hanly Conroy for their continued support of protecting asbestos victims' civil rights and public health."

More than 1,000 people attended the Alton race, now in its seventh year. Virtual participants in eight other states purchased the race shirt and shared photos of themselves wearing the shirts on social media. Since 2009, hundreds more have attended Miles for Meso events in Ohio, Washington, Texas, Florida, Virginia and Indiana.

"When we first started the race, it was a way to give back to our clients and families who were dealing with the devastating effects of mesothelioma. We had no idea how much it would grow over the years," said John Simmons, Chairman of Simmons Hanly Conroy. "We were thrilled to see so many people on site either running or walking, volunteering or fighting back in their own way against mesothelioma. Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make the race such a great event."

Approximately 770 runners and walkers registered for the Alton race. The top five overall men and women finishers received over $2,000 in cash prizes. Miles for Meso custom medals were awarded to the top three finishers in 5-year age groups. The Alton event included an activity area for children and a dog adoption event hosted by Hope Rescues, along with free food and drinks, and a local business fair. The event also featured an acoustic performance by singer-songwriter Jordan Zevon, ADAO's national spokesperson and the son of musician Warren Zevon, who died of mesothelioma in 2003.

"The Alton race is a way for us to recognize Sept. 26 as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day by providing a high-caliber run for the local running community that appeals to runners of all experience levels and their families," said Race Director Mike Wever, president of the Metro Tri Club, a local triathlon club.

Other Miles for Meso races that took place in September were the Bruce A. Waite 5K Race in Ontario, Ohio, which attracted more than 300 people, and the inaugural Miles for Meso Remembrance 5K in Victoria, Texas. Both races benefited the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, a national charity focused on peer-reviewed research and patient-support programming.

Including the Alton event, all three September Miles for Meso races raised more than $45,000 for mesothelioma cancer research and awareness. Since 2009, Miles for Meso races have raised $180,000 in Alton and nearly $450,000 overall. The money is raised through a combination of registration fees, personal donations, team fundraising, and corporate donations. This year's Alton sponsors included Platinum Sponsors Acropolis Technology Group, Stratos Legal, and the Bridge Church; and Gold Sponsors Classic Graphics, Fathom, First Clover Leaf Bank, Jenner & Block, PohlmanUSA Court Reporting, Sokolove Law, and The Tedrick Insurance Group.

"Simmons Hanly Conroy is honored by the overwhelming support the race has received locally, as well as from the national mesothelioma community," John Simmons said. "Without the support of our employees, our volunteers, our sponsors and so many other people, the race could not be what it is today."

About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is the largest independent asbestos victims' organization in the United States. It was founded in 2004 to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice, to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and to work toward a global asbestos ban. ADAO is dedicated to preventing asbestos-caused diseases through national and international education, advocacy, and community initiatives.

For more information, visit http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/

About Miles for Meso

Miles for Meso is an initiative of the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation that was established in 2009 to raise funds and awareness for mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Miles for Meso races have been held across the country, from New York to Florida to Washington state and several locations in between. Together, Miles for Meso events have raised nearly $450,000 to benefit mesothelioma research and awareness.

About Simmons Hanly Conroy

Simmons Hanly Conroy, headquartered in Alton, Ill., is one of the country's leading asbestos and mesothelioma litigation firms. With offices in Illinois, New York, Missouri and California, the firm has represented thousands of patients and families affected by mesothelioma throughout the country. In addition, Simmons Hanly Conroy has pledged nearly $20 million to cancer research and proudly supports its local communities through other charitable causes like Miles for Meso. For more information about Simmons Hanly Conroy, visit http://www.simmonsfirm.com.