Longest Living Mesothelioma Survivor Offers Hope to Observers of Mesothelioma Awareness Day
As mesothelioma patients, advocates and health professionals prepare for the 11th annual Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26th, the world’s longest-living documented survivor of mesothelioma is about to celebrate his 71st birthday. It is a milestone that few expected him to see. Australian Paul Kraus is the author of “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient’s Guide” and an 18-year survivor of one of the most deadly types of cancer known to medicine. Kraus, who was born in a Nazi labor camp in October of 1944, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997. Like so many others, he had been unknowingly exposed to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma, while working at a factory during his vacation as an undergraduate … Continue reading Longest Living Mesothelioma Survivor Offers Hope to Observers of Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Mesothelioma Claims Another American Actor
Another American actor has died of malignant mesothelioma. Veteran character actor Ed Lauter, who worked with such prominent names as Clint Eastwood, George C. Scott, Burt Reynolds and Tom Cruise, died this week in Los Angeles. According to the Associated Press, one of Lauter’s most notable roles was that of a prison guard in the 1974 Burt Reynolds film “The Longest Yard”. He also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Family Plot”, “Born on the Fourth of July” with Tom Cruise, and most recently played a butler in the 2011 Oscar-winning film “The Artist”. Lauter’s television appearances included “The Office”, “ER”, “Murder She Wrote” and “The Rockford Files”. Although little is being said about the origin of Lauter’s mesothelioma, an aggressive … Continue reading Mesothelioma Claims Another American Actor
AIDS Activist Sasser Dies of Mesothelioma
Sean Sasser, who first came to attention as the boyfriend of MTV star Pedro Zamora in 1994, has died of mesothelioma at the age of 44. Sasser was not a full cast member of MTV’s popular The Real World: San Francisco but Zamora, one of the first openly-gay men on American television, was. Their televised marriage ceremony in 1994 became what CNN calls “a landmark moment in TV history”. After Zamora died of AIDS a year later, Sasser went on to become an outspoken AIDS activist and a notable pastry chef. Sasser himself had lived with AIDS for more than 25 years. He was diagnosed with Stage IV mesothelioma in June, following a blood test which revealed an “abnormality”. Mesothelioma, … Continue reading AIDS Activist Sasser Dies of Mesothelioma
Actor’s Death Highlights Mesothelioma Risk in Australia
An Australian film actor best known in the U.S. for playing opposite Mel Gibson in Gallipoli has died ofmesothelioma. Harold Hopkins died in a Sydney hospital where he was receiving hospice care. He was 67 years old. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the thin tissue around internal organs. It is often considered an occupational disease, since many people come into contact with the asbestos that causes it while working in various industrial settings. Although actors are not typically thought to be at high risk for mesothelioma, Hopkins reportedly encountered asbestos long before his acting career began. According to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, he was exposed to asbestos as early as the 1960’s while working his first job after high school … Continue reading Actor’s Death Highlights Mesothelioma Risk in Australia
Mesothelioma Takes Life of Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen was one of the strongest players in NFL history, but malignant mesothelioma proved to be one rival he could not defeat. NFL Rookie of the Year in 1962. NFL player of the year in 1964. A Football Hall of Famer, television actor and commentator, Olsen died of mesothelioma on March 11, a disease he and his family claimed he contracted from exposure to asbestos. A football standout early on at Utah State, Olsen went on to a successful 15 year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, starting with his rookie year in 1962. He remains the Rams’ all-time leader in career tackles. At 6’ 5”and 275 … Continue reading Mesothelioma Takes Life of Merlin Olsen
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