$25,000 raised for Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization during 11th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K

Alton, IL – Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, raised $25,000 for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization at its 11th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run/Walk on Sept. 28.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a national non-profit dedicated to securing a U.S. ban on asbestos and supporting families impacted by asbestos.

“I am astounded at the passionate outpouring of community and advocacy seen during this year’s Alton Miles for Meso 5K,” said ADAO President Linda Reinstein. “Events like Miles for Meso provide healing and allow us to come together for a common goal: to offer a safe place for those affected and to increase awareness that asbestos remains legal and lethal in the U.S. ADAO sincerely thanks Simmons Hanly Conroy for their continued leadership in supporting asbestos victims’ civil rights and public health.”

More than 1,100 people attended the Alton race at the national headquarters of Simmons Hanly Conroy. Twenty-one states were represented at the race, with racers from California to Maine and everywhere in between crossing the finish line. Since 2009, thousands more have attended Miles for Meso events in Ohio, Washington, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New York.

“We are overwhelmed by the support the race has received locally, as well as from the national mesothelioma community,” said firm Chairman John Simmons. “Without the support of our employees, our volunteers, our sponsors and so many other people, the race could not be what it is today.”

A total of 34 fundraising teams accounted for this year’s donation. Together they raised almost $6,400 of this year’s total. The top three fundraising teams were recognized during the award ceremony with top fundraising awards.

• The “Georgie Porgie’s Meso Patrol” team took home the top fundraising award with more than $1,800 raised. They participated in memory of George Dreith, from Godfrey, Ill., who passed away from mesothelioma.
• Second-place honors went to the “The Friends and Family of Virgil E. Williams” team, who raised money in memory of Virgil E. Williams, a Pontoon Beach, Ill., resident who passed away from mesothelioma.
• Third place went to the “Biking for an Asbestos Ban” team.

The top five overall men and women finishers received more than $2,000 in cash prizes:

• Brice Pavey of St. Louis placed first overall in the men’s division with a time of 15:18.
• Julia Kohnen of Florissant, Mo. placed first overall in the women’s division with a time of 16:58.

The top three finishers in five-year age groups also received Miles for Meso custom medals. Every participant who crossed the finish line received a participation medal.

MESOTHELIOMA CAN AFFECT ANYONE
The Alton event included an activity area for children, a bubble bus, food trucks, entertainment, vendor fair, free food and drinks, photo booths, petting zoo and pony rides, and a performance by singer-songwriter Jordan Zevon, ADAO’s national spokesperson. Zevon is the son of musician Warren Zevon, who died of mesothelioma in 2003 and was posthumously awarded two Grammys.

This year’s race also included a motorcycle once owned and ridden by legendary actor Steve McQueen, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1979 and tragically died from it just one year later.

Simmons purchased the bike earlier this year because it served as a physical reminder that mesothelioma can affect anyone and that the mission to ban asbestos and find a cure is so critically important. The motorcycle will later be on permanent display at the firm.

ABOUT ADAO
For more information about the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), visit asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.