National Insulation Association Raises Funds for Mesothelioma Research and Support Services
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) June 30, 2013 -- On May 23, the National Insulation Association (NIA) honored its members’ wishes and officially presented the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) with half of the net proceeds from NIA’s first silent auction. Members of NIA chose the Meso Foundation for its dedicated efforts to fund research and provide care for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. The auction was a tremendous success and raised over $22,000. The NIA Foundation for Training, Education, and Industry Advancement and the Meso Foundation evenly split the net proceeds of this event, allowing for an $11,105 donation to each charity.
The Meso Foundation was established in 1999 to eradicate mesothelioma and end the suffering caused by it. Many of those who work with insulation are all too familiar with mesothelioma. NIA EVP/CEO Michele Jones affirmed, “Their research into this disease is very important to us, because it has had such an impact within our industry for so long.”
“We are very grateful to the NIA for their fundraising efforts and their support of our mission,” said Melinda Kotzian, Meso Foundation’s chief operating officer. “It is only through research that we can lessen the negative impact mesothelioma has had on this industry.”
The Meso Foundation is rated as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, with 81 cents of every dollar going to mesothelioma research and patient support. The Foundation has had a large degree of success advocating for research funds on Capitol Hill. Due to the high number of Navy and military mesothelioma patients, they have successfully applied for 8.8 million dollars from the Department of Defense for mesothelioma research. In addition to these funds, the Meso Foundation has awarded $8.2 million to research efforts to date, and remains the only organization that donates money to peer-reviewed research for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the lining of the lung, abdomen, or heart known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Medical experts consider it one of the most aggressive and deadly of all cancers. Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year and an estimated one-third were exposed while serving in the Navy or working in Navy shipyards.
ABOUT THE MESOTHELIOMA APPLIED RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The Meso Foundation is the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma and easing the suffering caused by it. The Meso Foundation actively seeks philanthropic support to fund peer-reviewed mesothelioma research; provide patient support services and education; and advocate Congress for increased federal funding for mesothelioma research. The Meso Foundation is the only non-government funder of peer reviewed scientific research to establish more effective treatments for mesothelioma and, ultimately, a cure for this rare, but extremely aggressive, cancer. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $8.2 million to research.
More information is available at http://www.curemeso.org.
Maja Belamaric, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, http://www.curemeso.org, (703) 879-3822, [email protected]
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