Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer Research

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- For the thousands of Americans facing the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, a new ray of hope came today. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), the national nonprofit organization whose mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease, announced that it has received a major private gift of $200,000 earmarked specifically for research into effective treatments for the disease.

"Patience is not a virtue for those suffering from mesothelioma," said the donor, Roger G. Worthington, a lawyer who represents mesothelioma victims and their families. "They need answers, and help, right now. With this contribution, we send a message of hope that MARF is working toward the solution."

This solution is long overdue, says MARF Executive Director Christopher E. Hahn. Asbestos litigation has been raging since the 60's, with billions of dollars changing hands. Yet for decades, mesothelioma research was overlooked and underfunded, leaving mesothelioma patients virtually no hope of effective treatment. Average survival was only four to fourteen months. To end this tragedy, MARF was formed in 1999, and has now awarded over $1.3 million in mesothelioma research grants. Worthington's donation "will push MARF one step closer toward our goal of finding a cure for mesothelioma," states Hahn.

He adds that Worthington's gift, and his commitment to ending the suffering of mesothelioma patients, also issues a significant challenge to the other major players involved in the problem of asbestos related cancer. MARF has received thousands of donations from individual patients and loved ones whose lives have been tragically affected by the disease. But among major donors, Worthington is the largest, having now donated over $600,000 to MARF to support mesothelioma research. "Our vision is that like Worthington, all the involved parties will share the mantle of responsibility to cure this disease," Hahn says.

According to Worthington, "MARF has the brain power to tame the beast, but it takes resources to fight a winning battle. Each of us -- industry, our federal government and fellow members of the bar -- must do what we can to replace misery with meaningful survival."

For more information, contact The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation ( http://www.marf.org/ ) Executive Director, Christopher E. Hahn, 805-560-8942, c-hahn@marf.org. Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

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