Mesothelioma Patient Registry Bill Garners Wide Support

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation announced the list of supporters of the Mary Jo Lawyer-Spano Patient Registry Act of 2015.

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) September 30, 2015

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) announced today the most up-to-date list of supporters of the Mary Jo Lawyer-Spano Patient Registry Act of 2015, a bill to create a national mesothelioma patient registry.

The bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressman John Katko (R-NY), and has been co-sponsored Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Chris Collins (R-NY), Peter King (R-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Joe Kennedy (D-MA), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Nita Lowey (D-NY). Amongst others in support of the bill are national and international organizations, clinicians, scientists, medical professionals, major medical centers, labor unions, and universities.

The complete list of supporters can be viewed here.

Currently, there is no formal federal registry to keep track of mesothelioma patients, their demographics, and other important information that could help identify gaps in current mesothelioma treatment. The profound impact of patient registries has been demonstrated in other diseases, which, following their implementation, have seen an acceleration in treatment development and acceleration toward cures.

The Mary Jo Lawyer-Spano Patient Registry Act of 2015 was created as a result of a meeting between a Meso Foundation Advocate, Meg Meccariello, and her member of Congress, John Katko. Meg?s family has been greatly impacted by mesothelioma. She and her sister are both mesothelioma patients, and they have lost their father to the disease, as well as another sister, Mary Jo Lawyer-Spano, for whom the bill is named.

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the lining of the lung, abdomen, or heart known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. With the life expectancy of less than one year after diagnosis, medical experts consider it one of the most aggressive and deadly of all cancers. An estimated one-third of those who develop mesothelioma were exposed while serving in the Navy or working in shipyards. Currently, few treatment options exist. There is no cure.

ABOUT THE MESOTHELIOMA APPLIED RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The Meso Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma and easing the suffering caused by this cancer. The Meso Foundation actively seeks philanthropic support to fund mesothelioma research; provide patient support services and education; and advocate Congress for increased federal funding for mesothelioma research. The Meso Foundation is the only non-government funder of peer-reviewed scientific research to develop life-saving treatments for this extremely aggressive cancer. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $9 million to research. More information is available at http://www.curemeso.org.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb12991959.htm