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In the UK, this includes not only industrial workers, but also school teachers, Office Workers, NHS Hospital Staff, Farmers, Builders, and members of the public who can be exposed when buildings are demolished or when entering buildings containing asbestos that is not stabilised and covered. This is an annual event in Liverpool on each Action Mesothelioma Day held this year on 7th July, and helps to raise funds for the work of Liverpool based MAVSG in their work supporting and advising victims of the killer disease caused; together with their families and loved ones. This annual event takes place on the first Friday in July, meaning next year's event will be on 3rd July. Through the support of local firms and organisations, along with the Mayors in Merseyside, MAVSG is able to hold this annual event. This year's event, was, as in previous year's, financially supported by: Irwin Mitchell irwinmitchell.com For the first time Dickenson's Lawn & Indoor Plant Services, also attended this year's Action Mesothelioma Day 2025 event, and in doing so offered to give any proceeds they earn at the event, to MAVSG. The Dove Release event was provided by UK Dove Release of St Helens as in previous years. Contact details and photos of sponsors, appear at the end of this report. CWU retired members, Chris Ingram, editor of unionsafety.eu and Derek Maylor, CWU Retired Member, MAVSG supporter and now trustee, have reported on this annual event for many years. In doing so, they give their time for free in support of this extremely important charity, and as a tribute to those victims of Mesothelioma, and their loved ones; some of whom are able to attend this annual event. Unionsafety adds our condolences to the families of those who have passed due to this disease. Below we publish the MAVSG Scroll of Honour which is run at the event to support and commemorate those who have left us and their families who have added their names and messages to the scroll. Scroll of Rememberance
This year's Local Government dignitaries attending were: Mayor and Mayoress of Knowsley, Counselor Ken McGlashan, and Ms Anne McGlashan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councilor William Shortall, and Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Councilor Brian Kenny and Mrs Helen Kenny
Presentation by John Flanagan to the Barrass Family
John said: "I'd like to thank the Barrass family for their fundraising in memory of Dr Charles Bryan Barras, sadly no longer with us, passed away with Mesothelioma. So therefore, it's in recognition of that I'd like to present you with a plaque." Pictured with widow Hilary Barrass are Left to Right: daughter Lynne and son Jonathan who received the award on behalf of the family.
Jonathan, son, Hilary, widow, and Lynne Barrass, daughter, of the late Dr Charles Bryan Barrass, who together with family and friends have raised over £3,800 receiving the MAVSG Award for Fundraising presented by John Flanagan on behalf of the Group.
The release of doves is in commemoration of those who have lost their lives to Mesothelioma, and is a tradition of MAVSG on every Action Mesothelioma Day annually. This year, the doves were provided by UK Dove Release of St Helens. The second part of the above video was recorded by Ian McIntrye, secretary of Merseyside TUC. Speech from Wirral Mayor, Councillor Brian Kenny Mayor of Wirral, Councilor Brian Kenny:
He added; "In Britain, more than 2.500 people die from Mesothelioma every year because of exposure to Asbestos., and while the deadly material has been banned in the UK since 1999; it still lurks in over half a million buildings, half a million buildings, which were constructed before that year and of course that still poses huge risks to many residents. Support groups, charities and other organisations and individuals have come together for more awareness of the dangers of asbestos. They certainly haven't gone away. So I think the main focus of today is first of all to raise awareness of the urgent need for research into finding a cure for mesothelioma. Also the importance of an international ban on the import because obviously it's not just an issue which affects us in the UK. On the import, export and general use of asbestos and also to raise general awareness that there's still a danger to those people working today in buildings with asbestos. Now I understand that the UK has got the highest rates of mesothelioma per head of population in the world. Now that is shocking. We should not be leading the way in the UK. So it's shocking and totally unacceptable. I believe you have monthly meetings for patients which I think is great and from what I understand they're well attended and people just love to talk to other people in the same situation as themselves. But anyway finally once again thanks for inviting myself and the mayor here today. Thank you very much for all the good work you do all year round and thanks for inviting us again. Thank you very much."
Presentations Professor Judy Coulson from the University of Liverpool discussed research currently being undertaken.
NC3Rs advocates reducing use of animals in clinical research, but they support developing more ethical alternatives rather than just saying “/no/”, a very positive help. Our bodies are made up of 30 trillion cells, building blocks of tissues and organs carefully controlled in healthy tissues. Cancer calls are cells that have “gone wrong”, growing and dividing without control forming tumours and interfering with normal tissues. As people we are all individuals with our own characteristics, mesothelioma is the same, different to an individual patient, so if we can target treatment to that individual, they may receive the best therapy. Tumour suppressors and immune markers can help predict the best therapy. This is being tested for a drug called ADI-PEG20, the research pipeline takes time but will (hopefully) lead to clinical trials. The combination of patient tissue from diagnostic biopsy and an ethical egg model can be developed to test tumour management for an individual with meaningful results within two weeks – personalised medicine. This method might in future be used to test several different drugs that genetically suit a specific patient then select the best one for the patients’ treatment.
Mr Julius Asante-Siaw from Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital talked about the clinical side of mesothelioma treatment to help a patient live longer or improve their quality of life. The diagnosis and histology sub typing of mesothelioma rely on biopsies from pleural tissue (lung lining). Pathological evaluation is mainly based on histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. While pleural fluid cytology can serve as an initial screen, it often lacks sufficient sensitivity for treatment decision-making; thus, multiple tissue biopsies via thoracoscopy are recommended.
This procedure is typically performed under general anaesthesia in an operating room, with small incisions made to insert the scope. A chest tube may be used to re-inflate the lung or remove excess fluids or air. Current surgical research focuses on refining surgical roles, improving outcomes when combined with chemotherapy, and developing new techniques. Surgery remains key in treating early-stage mesothelioma in patients with good health, as it can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, especially when integrated into multimodal treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It is extremely important that careful patient selection and preoperative assessment are taken by all those involved with each individual patient, this is crucial to minimise risks and maximise benefits.
AMD 2025 Event Sponsors
Dickinsons Lawn and Plant Services
Click the link above to email Dickinson's Lawn & Indoor Plant Services MAVSG Office Support Team
Event Credits MAVSG Event: John Flanagan, staff and trustees, Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group Website Report Credits Photos: Chris Ingram, unionsafety.eu
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Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group supports this day of action highlighting to the public, politicians, and the media, the facts around a disease which is fatal and contracted by those exposed to asbestos.
John Flanagan presented an award to Barrass Family in memory of the late Dr. Charles Bryan Barrass. The family have given financial support to Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group, "by far more than any other supporters".
Brian began by saying that he is delighted to be here today to help increase much needed awareness about Mesothelioma.
Animal testing is historically required in developing new drugs but, social values
have progressed and this has led to exciting developments in that
area. Only 1% of good (/medical/) ideas end up in clinical trials and
Thoracoscopy, a procedure involving the insertion of a thin, camera-equipped tube into the chest cavity, allows direct visualisation and biopsy of the pleura, making it particularly valuable when imaging like X-rays or CT scans is inconclusive. Beyond diagnosis, thoracoscopy can also enable certain therapeutic interventions related to the pleura. This can be done quite quickly, around 48 hours, so it is easier for the patient. 
