In Plymouth, Pennsylvania, one mesothelioma patient's family is getting creative to support their loved one in his time of need. On Aug. 15, the Times Herald, Montgomery County's newspaper, featured a story and video online about Mario De Simone's struggle with this trying disease and his family's plan to hold a 'beef and beer' fundraiser to support him. De Simone is a father, a grandfather, a husband and brother.
The Times Herald said doctors diagnosed De Simone with stage four mesothelioma and told him that nothing more could be done.
"They told me it could be anytime from now 'til — I don't know — whenever the good Lord says so," De Simone told the Times Harold.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, commonly used in construction until it was discovered to cause health problems. Because the disease stays dormant for 30 plus years, a person can live a large part of their life unaware that asbestos fibers in their lungs are causing cancer.
In De Simone's case, he said he believed that he inhaled asbestos fibers as a teenager during the four years he worked at The Alan Wood Steel Company. He said asbestos was all over the plant, but that he didn't know what it was at the time. 35 years later, at age 56, De Simone received news that the job he had taken in his adolescence would lead to a premature death.
The Times Herald Reports that De Simone is handling this news well—after he "had a good cry" he said he realized others had it worse than he did. He said he was grateful that he had a chance to get things in order, like life insurance for his family.
At first he was reluctant to do the fundraiser but his family wanted to have it so he agreed. He told the Times Herald he was most concerned with keeping his family calm.
Mesothelioma affects people like De Simone every year. If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos, tell your doctor and let him or her examine you for signs of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
The national mesothelioma trial lawyers of Shrader & Associates are dedicated to helping those affected by asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness such as asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. to speak with one of our attorneys to LEARN YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS! Our asbestos exposure experts are standing by to hear your story and help you determine whether or not you are due monetary compensation to help deal with this devastating diagnosis.
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