Benefit Concert Nets $250,000 for Meso Research

February 16, 2007 - A benefit concert held last week, sponsored by the Pacific Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (PHLBI), resulted in a $250,000 gift towards mesothelioma research. 

According to a press release by the Institute, the concert featured Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and his band.  Also appearing at the fundraiser was Barbara McQueen, wife of actor Steve McQueen, who died of lung cancer in 1980 at the age of 50.  Another celebrity who appeared at the function was Floyd Landis, winner of the 2006 Tour de France, who spoke to the crowd about the importance of supporting cancer research.

Mesothelioma receives relatively little funding from traditional cancer research channels, even though 3,000-4,000 people are newly diagnosed each year, noted PHLBI spokespersons.  They believe that “research funding lags greatly behind the disease’s impact.”

Dr. Robert Cameron, chief of thoracic surgery at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and one of PHLBI's Scientific Advisors, noted that he was delighted so many people came out to support research, including his own patients. "This event shows what can happen when people pull together for mesothelioma research. We have promising projects underway that may lead to more effective management of this disease for this and future generations," Cameron said.

Terry Lynch, PHLBI Director and Vice President and Health and Hazard Administrator for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union, agreed.  "This was an impressive event, raising money for an important cause. The research projects underway at PHLBI are important to help treat mesothelioma patients. The union supports that mission," added Lynch.

In addition to several businesses and individuals, one of the contributors to the event was longtime asbestos manufacturer Owens-Illinois, who has been overwhelmed with asbestos lawsuits throughout the past few decades.