As we thought about our 2020 year in review, we were, of course, reminded that this year was a time of extraordinary challenges for everyone. This is especially true for our mesothelioma community. The Covid-19 pandemic has directly affected our patients’ ability to receive necessary treatment, visit their doctors in person, secure second opinions, as well as participate in clinical trials.
Despite this, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation remains focused on being an unwavering source of support for our community. We are committed to ensuring the continuity of our services by identifying new ways to serve patients, caregivers, and our bereaved community.
As part of that commitment, this year we launched the Community Advisory Board. This board is compromised of patients, caregivers, and those who have suffered a loss. It’s focused on building and maintaining an inclusive, connected, and informed mesothelioma community.
We also focused on our four mission areas, and here is what that looked like in 2020:
RESEARCH
Our peer-reviewed research grant program remained fully operational despite the pandemic. Mesothelioma hasn’t stopped, and neither have we. This year, we awarded $300,000 in new funding for mesothelioma research projects. That brings our total research funded to $10.5 million.
SUPPORT
To help our community overcome the additional layer of complexity brought on by the pandemic, we have since March expanded our support programs. This is to ensure that patients and their families have the tools necessary to make decisions and access treatment, and that those who have suffered a loss receive the extra support needed during these times.
EDUCATION
Our educational offerings have also grown with our newly-developed virtually-delivered education and outreach program called MesoTV. The series features conversations with scientists, medical experts, and our community members. Also, our Meet the Meso Experts broadcast series now include video in addition to audio.
ADVOCACY
Our work to fund a national mesothelioma patient registry continues. This fiscal year and last, Congress appropriated a total of $200,000 for a feasibility study through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year, we continued working on a request for the additional $400,000 to complete the project.
While the pandemic has made everything more complicated, we at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation remained fiercely focused on the needs of mesothelioma community and will continue to be in the year ahead and beyond.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to eradicate mesothelioma and end this national tragedy. Its programs include the funding of promising and peer-reviewed research, education, support and advocacy. The organization strives to bring together thought-leaders in the field to identify the most direct path to a cure.
