UKATA to attend launch of the Mavis Nye Foundation
On Thursday 7 December 2017, representatives of the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) will attend the launch of the Mavis Nye Foundation at the Richmond Hill Hotel in London. Established by mesothelioma campaigner and survivor Mavis Nye, the aim is to support individuals affected by asbestos related cancer and fund mesothelioma research, with a target of raising £100,000 by mid 2018.
The MNF was set up following Mavis’ eight and a half year battle to beat mesothelioma and is understood to be one of the few people in the world to be in recovery from the disease that has, until now, been considered a death sentence. After making a real impact as one of the keynote speakers at the UKATA Asbestos Conference in July, the Association was keen to work with Mavis again and support the MNF launch.
“Mavis kindly addressed our Asbestos Conference this year, so it is a pleasure and a privilege to be able to return the favour and attend the launch of this new foundation,” said UKATA General Manager Craig Evans. “UKATA is proud to have sponsored the banner for the event and together with our members we will be playing our part in helping the foundation achieve its objectives in the year ahead.”
Craig will be joined at the event by colleagues Gill Lewis and Debbie Nixon, plus UKATA Director and the globally respected asbestos expert, Professor Roger Willey. The event will be followed by a fundraising dinner dance, with prizes and a silent auction.
“I had the scary feeling that no one would say yes they will be coming, but that is not the case and I am so amazed at the interest,” said Mavis Nye when commenting on the event. “I have been surprised all the way through with the enthusiasm of the people that have backed me. The MNF will see that this important work will carry on after I have left the planet.”
The MNF aims to provide grants to newly diagnosed victims of mesothelioma and reimburse their travel expenses during the search for treatment. In addition, the charity wants to support medical students to become mesothelioma doctors and offer grants to secure Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNCs) in the UK.
“The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive show two fifths of deaths in the workplace are from asbestos related lung cancers,” added Craig. “With the figures not expected to fall for ten years, the work of UKATA in education and training and the MNF in terms of supporting victims will be needed for decades to come.”
Media Enquiries:
Victoria Castelluccio, Marketing Officer
victoria.castelluccio@ukata.org.uk
01246 824437
Published on Wednesday 15th November 2017