DAST - East Midlands Wide Asbestos Support

We must have too many empty numbers in our DAST 200 Club, because our August draw was another rollover! The winner was number 188 which is not owned by anyone, so the money goes back in the pot for September's draw.

To purchase one of our 39 empty numbers please email [email protected] or call 01246 380 415. Numbers are just £1 each per month, with half of the proceedings of each draw going to the winner and the other half towards supporting DAST's work.

Thank you to all our 200 Club supporters for your regular donations to this valuable fundraiser!

We will be closed from 4.30pm today Friday 24th August and will reopen on Wednesday 28th August at 8.30am. Have a lovely Bank Holiday everyone and keep your fingers crossed for some sunshine ☀️

If you are living with cancer and reside in the Chesterfield area, why not attend one of Dancing for Health's free dance classes?

Do you care for someone with a lung condition? 🫁

Help us shape the future of research into breathlessness, something that effects everyone with a lung condition. Take our short survey to share your top 10 research priorities. https://orlo.uk/R7lRm

The MITOPE clinical trial is looking at a new drug called RSO-021 for fluid around the lung caused by cancer. It is for people who have any type of solid cancer including mesothelioma of the lung. You can read a quick update in this post or visit https://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/clinical-trials/ for more information about clinical trials.

Have you signed the petition yet? ✍️

No matter what your role is, we are all local people, help us challenge cuts to Derbyshire's voluntary and community groups.

bit.ly/3VIu4ly

These groups don't need to affect you personally
You don't have to be a volunteer to sign
You can stand up to help those helping our communities by signing, and sharing the petition.
If you ARE part of a group that helps others, share amongst your members. Every signature helps us show how much this matters.

Thank you so much to Leigh Day for the support you provide to people affected by asbestos related disease and the campaigning you carry out for victims of asbestos exposure

Day 5 of our . Today on our we are in East Midlands and we want to extend our gratitude to the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST) who tirelessly work to improve the quality of life for mesothelioma sufferers.

The East Midlands has been home to numerous industries where asbestos was used for insulation and fire resistance. The railway industry in Derby used asbestos in locomotives and railcars. Nottingham had many factories and power stations. Insulation companies such as Darlington Insulation and Cape Contracts, which manufactured asbestos-containing material, all exposed their employees to toxic levels of asbestos. Many people in the region have had their health put at risk leading to devastating diagnoses and broken families.

Asbestos continues to cast a long shadow over many lives, with its devastating impact on those diagnosed with mesothelioma—a cancer caused by asbestos exposure – and other asbestos diseases like asbestosis and pleural thickening. Countless individuals are suffering due to asbestos exposure which has occurred through no fault of their own.

DAST provide not only emotional and practical support, but also a sense of community and solidarity for those battling mesothelioma. They provide help with benefits and compensation, run campaigning and fundraising events and raise awareness about the devastating impact of asbestos. Their work ensures that no one has to face this challenge alone.

We would like to recognise and appreciate the incredible work being done by DAST in the region. Your commitment and compassion shine brightly in the fight against this ongoing issue. https://ow.ly/ZvZy50Snltn

Have you listened to Talc Tales yet? If you missed it on BBC Radio 4 you can also get it on BBC Sounds, Spotify, Apple Music or other podcast providers - just search for 'How They Made Us Doubt Everything'

BBC Radio 4 FM - Schedules, 5 - 11 August 2024 This is the weekly broadcast schedule for BBC Radio 4 FM

Congratulations to Tom Hitchcock, the winner of the July's 200 Club draw! Thank you to all our 200 Club members, this is a really valuable regular donation that we can use to directly support our work.

If you'd like to buy any numbers get in touch with us at [email protected] or 01246 380 415. Numbers are just £1 each per month, with each month's winner receiving half the proceeds and DAST receiving the other half.

We are excited to announce that UK are developing a play about the impact of mesothelioma on families to be held at the University of Sheffield's Festival of the Mind. This free event will take place in the amazing spielgeltent (pictured) on Saturday 28th September 11am-12.30pm in Barker's Pool, Sheffield (no tickets needed). Watch this space for more info!

We have launched a new short course for patients preparing for the future. Mesothelioma UK is here to support you. Held weekly, starting Wednesday 4 September for 4 weeks on Zoom.

To register your interest or for more information, email [email protected]

BBC Radio 4 FM - Schedules, 5 - 11 August 2024 This is the weekly broadcast schedule for BBC Radio 4 FM

📅 Save the Date!

Patient Carer Day | Thursday 10 October 2024

Join our team, nurses, volunteers, and speakers for valuable insights and expertise on mesothelioma.

Community Dinner | Evening of Wednesday 9 October 2024

Exciting new event for 2024

Both events will be held at the Holiday Inn, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1LH.

Tickets are now available for both events on our website here: https://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/patient-carer-day-2024-and-community-dinner/

East Midlands Mesothelioma Support Group

Friday 16th August 11am-1pm at Ulverscroft Manor Activity Centre, Priory Lane, Markfield, LE67 9PH

Guest speaker: Meso UK Nurse Kate Slavin talks about her research into the symptom of cough

Free buffet lunch!

For more information or to book your place please contact
Louise Nelson & Laura Smith - Tel 0116 2502615 or email [email protected]

Option to join online if you are not able to attend in person: please contact Louise or Laura by email for the Zoom link

Are you caring or have you cared for a loved one affected by Mesothelioma?

Would you like to meet others in a similar situation to chat, socialise and share experiences?

Come to the East Midlands Mesothelioma Carers Coffee Morning run by Mesothelioma UK

Friday 2nd August 2024 9:30am – 11:00am

Mesothelioma UK Head Office, 235 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, LE12 7AS

For more information please contact Meso UK's Louise Nelson & Laura Smith 0116 2502615 or email [email protected]

June's 200 Club draw was a rollover as no one owned the number that was picked, which means July's prize is doubled! If you'd like to purchase any numbers get in touch with us [email protected] or 01246 380 415

Pain for those with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma event being held on Wednesday 17th July (online or in person in Sheffield)

Please contact Dr Catriona Mayland to book your place [email protected]

Some more photos of our lovely supporters at our ACTION MESOTHELIOMA DAY 2024 event at Lincoln yesterday..... !

ACTION MESOTHELIOMA DAY 5th JULY 2024 - PRESS RELEASE - Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum - UK On 5th July 2024, asbestos charities around the UK hold events on Action Mesothelioma Day to recognise mesothelioma sufferers and family members who are victims of asbestos exposure. Another year on, […]

Just 3 days left until the Team DAST Everest Base Camp Trek fundraiser closes... if you haven't already donated but would like to, here's the link https://localgiving.org/fundraising/team-dast-everest-base-camp

Have you booked your place for Action Mesothelioma Day? Email [email protected] or call 01246 380 415

Don’t miss your chance to take part in the world-wide annual Action Mesothelioma Day. A day of action we can all participate in to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and Mesothelioma.

DAST will be marking this day - Friday 5th July in Lincoln at the Double Tree Hilton hotel on Brayford Wharf.
Book your place now, letting us know of any dietary requirements by calling 01246 380415, or email [email protected]

Our guest speaker will be Jason Addy. Jason has been one of the co-ordinators of the Save Spodden Valley Campaign which began in 2005. Spodden Valley was the site of the world’s largest asbestos textile factory - Turner Brothers Asbestos Copany whichnlater changed it’s name to Turner and Newall. Jason’s grandfather died from an asbestos related illness as a result of working at the factory. The campaign is to block development of the site into a residential estate, because of the contamination of the site with asbestos.
There will also be speakers from the DAST Team and others.

So in keeping with the ‘Go Blue for Meso’ campaign, wear your brightest blue clothes and please join us!

Cancer52 would like to hear from patients with a rare and less common cancer, which is all cancers except the four most common – breast, bowel, lung, and prostate. Patient insights from the survey will to help shape Cancer52’s work to raise the collective voice of rare & less common cancers. All responses to the survey are anonymous and the survey is fully GDPR compliant.

Please take the survey: https://bit.ly/C52survey

What difference could you make?💰💰

If you have an idea that brings people together and helps to reduce loneliness and isolation where you live, we offer lots of support to help get you started and keep going 🙌 - and it’s all FREE 😅
✅ £75 easy-to-apply-for micro grant
✅ Workshops and Social events to build your confidence, skills and connections
✅ One to one mentoring advice tailored for you, your ideas and your community
✅ Access to a supportive community of other informal volunteer organisers doing similar things in other places
✅ And lots more …

For all the details visit feelingconnected.org.uk/support

💬"If you have an idea and want to start something it will be fully supported and its nice to have that backing especially just starting. The support is ongoing and it’s not just about the money" Julie, volunteer organiser - Arkwright Craft Group, Arkwright Coffee Morning and Morrisons Craft and Chat Group





Derbyshire Voluntary Action - DVA

Excellent Unite East Midlands Health and Safety Conference in Derby this week. Plenty of interest in the support DAST provides to workers and ex workers with an asbestos related illness and great to meet up with former DAST Chair Dave Trigg. Many thanks to Unite for inviting DAST to have a stall at the event.

Thank you to Chesterfield Labour Club for holding a Coffee Morning for us last Friday - it raised a fantastic £200 to support people affected by asbestos related diseases and their families

Don’t miss your chance to take part in the world-wide annual Action Mesothelioma Day. A day of action we can all participate in to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and Mesothelioma.

DAST will be marking this day - Friday 5th July in Lincoln at the Double Tree Hilton hotel on Brayford Wharf.
Book your place now, letting us know of any dietary requirements by calling 01246 380415, or email [email protected]

Our guest speaker will be Jason Addy. Jason has been one of the co-ordinators of the Save Spodden Valley Campaign which began in 2005. Spodden Valley was the site of the world’s largest asbestos textile factory - Turner Brothers Asbestos Copany whichnlater changed it’s name to Turner and Newall. Jason’s grandfather died from an asbestos related illness as a result of working at the factory. The campaign is to block development of the site into a residential estate, because of the contamination of the site with asbestos.
There will also be speakers from the DAST Team and others.

So in keeping with the ‘Go Blue for Meso’ campaign, wear your brightest blue clothes and please join us!

Chesterfield Labour Club are holding their Coffee Morning to fundraise for DAST today 10.30am-12pm! Coffee and cakes, what more could you want?!

Please spread widely to raise awareness of the campaign. The Asbestos Victims Support Groups' Forum UK are demanding that Cape, once one of the largest Asbestos companies in the world who have negligently exposed countless people, donate £10million to fund medical research to find a cure for mesothelioma

Professor Peter Szlosarek supports Cape Must Pay Campaign - Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum - UK We are delighted that Professor Peter Szlosarek, an eminent specialist in mesothelioma speaks out in support of our Cape Must Pay Campaign. Watch the film below.  

We'll be closed from 4.30pm today Friday 24th May and will reopen on Wednesday 29th May. Here's hoping for some sun over the Spring Bank Holiday ☀️