Congressman Bruce Vento Joins Nonprofit Foundation Dedicated to Eradicating Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Monday, 11 September 2000

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) announced today that Congressman Bruce Vento (D MN) has agreed to join its Board of Directors. Congressman Vento was diagnosed in January with mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen.

With a latency period of 20 years or more, mesothelioma primarily strikes those who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Navy veterans and workers from industrial and construction trades are among its most common victims. Cancer research, by and large, has overlooked mesothelioma. There is no cure, and little is known of effective treatments.

To change this grim situation, MARF has gathered together many of the nation's top mesothelioma researchers and doctors, as well as mesothelioma patients and their family members. MARF's goals are to increase political and public awareness of the disease and the urgent need for research toward a cure, and to raise money and directly fund medical research itself. According to Chris Hahn, MARF's Executive Director, within 5 years, MARF intends to raise $10 million for mesothelioma research. "MARF is calling specifically on the companies involved with asbestos, the trial lawyers representing mesothelioma patients, and the government to unite together to solve the problem and fund the necessary research." MARF is already in the process of awarding two grants, of up to $100,000 each, for critical mesothelioma treatment research.

Vento's joining the Board will be a huge benefit to MARF, Hahn said. "Bruce has been a member of Congress for 23 years. During his entire career, he has dedicated himself to fighting for the environment, working people and the disadvantaged. His political experience will be invaluable to MARF's governing body; and his wisdom, compassion and concern for working people will add fire in our fight to eradicate mesothelioma."

Congressman Vento joins current MARF board members Roger G. Worthington, an attorney who represents mesothelioma patients exclusively and who is MARF's founder; Robert B. Cameron, Nicholas J. Vogelzang, Brian Loggie, Robert Ginsberg, and Michael Harbut, all physicians who are national experts in mesothelioma treatment and research, Robert I. Komitor, an asbestos trial attorney, and Bill Powell, a retired Visa vice president now entering his fourth year as a mesothelioma survivor. MARF's website is www.marf.org.

For more information please contact Christopher E. Hahn, Executive Director, The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, (805) 560-8942, Web site: www.marf.org, email: c-hahn@marf.org.

For more information, or to contact Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, see their website at: www.marf.org