Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group
Action Mesothelioma Day February 27th 2009 in Manchester
We had a very successful event in Manchester. 180 people attended the dove release in Albert square and the public meeting calling for government funding for a National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease. 6 MPs, 2 doctors and many nurses attended along with patients, their families and friends. Speakers were: Tony Lloyd MP, David Crausby MP, Dr. Jennifer Hoyle, lead consultant for mesothelioma Cancer Network and Dr. Dev, consultant respiratory physician. Other MPs were: Paul Rowan MP, David Heyes MP, Graham Stringer MP and Jim Dobbin MP. The call for government funded mesothelioma research was heard loud and clear in Manchester, and MPs have pledged their support.
BBC North West broadcast a short interview at breakfast time to promote the event later in the morning and broadcast the event at 1.30pm. Radio Manchester covered the event and the Manchester Evening News had nearly a full page article with ex- Coronation street actor Bruce Jones, aka Les Battersby, and mesothelioma sufferer, John Willetts, both heating and ventilation engineers the day before the event.
