Simmons Law Firm Donates $100,000 to ADAO to Support Asbestos Awareness, Global Ban

ALTON, Ill., March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Simmons Law Firm, a nationwide leader in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation, has renewed its commitment to support asbestos awareness in the United States and beyond as a Platinum Sponsor of the "Where Knowledge and Action Unite" 10^th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/CL89190LOGO )

Despite the widely accepted dangers of asbestos, the United States has failed to fully ban the toxic substance, and it continues to claim thousands of live every year. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, laryngeal and ovarian cancers. The World Health Organization estimates that 107,000 workers around the world will die every year of an asbestos-related disease, equaling 300 deaths per day.

The asbestos awareness conference, organized by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), will take place April 4-6, 2014, in Washington, D.C., at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. More than 30 experts and asbestos victims from ten countries will present the latest advancement in disease prevention, global advocacy and treatment for mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases. The Simmons Firm is the longest consecutive sponsor of the conference.

"The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is extremely grateful to the Simmons Firm for once again being a Platinum Sponsor of our annual Asbestos Awareness Conference," said Linda Reinstein, mesothelioma widow and president of ADAO. "Simmons' unwavering and generous support allows us to continue to spread awareness about the dangers of asbestos, advocate for a global asbestos ban and support the community of asbestos disease victims. Simmons is truly appreciated and respected throughout our ADAO community. Together change is possible."

The conference begins Friday with a special tour of Washington, D.C. for patients and their families. Sessions begin Saturday morning and last throughout the day. Topics include personal stories by asbestos victims, medical updates on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from U.S. and international researchers, and sessions on prevention and awareness.

For the Saturday luncheon, ADAO will welcome Acting U.S. Surgeon General and Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak who will give the keynote address.

"I am very happy that my old friend and Acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak will be joining us as our Keynote Speaker for this year's conference celebrating our 10th year of advocating for the victims of asbestos-related diseases and their families," said Dr. Richard A. Lemen, Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret) and ADAO Science Advisory Board Co-Chairman in a press release. "It is certainly an honor that the leader of the Nation's Premier Public Health Agency will share with us his thoughts about asbestos-related diseases and their elimination."

The day will end with an Awards and Recognition Dinner to honor advocates of asbestos victims. The final conference event on Sunday morning is the Unity and Remembrance Brunch in memory of those who have passed away from asbestos-related diseases.

"The Simmons Firm has a long-standing commitment to support those impacted by asbestos-related diseases however we can," said Perry Browder, Chair of the firm's asbestos litigation group. "We have seen first-hand the devastation an asbestos-related disease causes to families. Our continued support of ADAO and its annual conference is only one part of our mission to support our clients and the mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease community as much as possible."

Through this mission, the firm has pledged more than $20 million to cancer research, including $8 million through its Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation to U.S. research institutions working to advance treatment options for mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.

Learn more about the 10^th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference.

About Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC:
The Simmons Firm, headquartered in Alton, Ill., is one of the country's leading asbestos and mesothelioma litigation firms. With offices in Illinois, Missouri and California, the firm has represented thousands of patients and families affected by mesothelioma throughout the country. The Simmons Firm has pledged over $20 million to cancer research and proudly supports mesothelioma medical researchers throughout the country in order to find a cure. For more information about the Simmons firm, visit http://www.simmonsfirm.com.

Contact: Mark Motley
Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC
618.259.2222
[email protected]

SOURCE Simmons Law Firm