Mesothelioma Patients and their families meet in a spirit of camaraderie in beautiful surroundings

Mesothelioma patients, their families and Dr. Robert B. Cameron attended a special luncheon at the Stone Brewery Bistro and Gardens in Escondido, Calif., on Sunday, Sept 26.

People at the gathering shared the common thread of this uncommon disease, reminding them they are not alone and always have someone to turn to for emotional support.

Clare Cameron, executive director at the Pacific Meso Center  (PMC) of the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI), in addition to hosting a round of introductions, discussed National Mesothelioma Awareness Day, held on Sept. 26 each year. 

Clare Cameron

It began in 2004 as a grassroots movement for recognizing those whose lives have been impacted by a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis and the need of a national ban on asbestos containing materials and products. Ms. Cameron has a goal to encourage California’s legislature to join a growing number of states that have passed a proclamation declaring Sept. 26 at Mesothelioma Awareness Day.  

During the luncheon a Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Pat Crawford for donating more than $88,000 to mesothelioma research. 

A Certificate of Appreciation was also presented to David & Pilar Vanderhyde for donating over $115,000 to mesothelioma research.  Attendees at the luncheon were able to meet other mesothelioma survivors, current patients and those who lost loved ones to it. They also got an update from Dr. Cameron.


Clare with Pat Crawford

When lunch was over Dr. Cameron spoke about PHLBI opening of new laboratory at 10780 Santa Monica Blvd. He also discussed the first research project targeted to begin in the new laboratory in October. It will be on stromal cell research and the re-engineering of stromal cells implanted during surgery. 

Dr. Cameron is a renowned cardio thoracic surgeon and surgical oncologist who has specialized in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma for over 25 years. He is the director of the mesothelioma program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California and the chief of thoracic surgery at the West Los Angeles Veterans’ Administration Medical Center.


Dr. Robert Cameron

Dr. Cameron is also the Scientific Advisor to Pacific Meso that is part of The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research institute. Pacific Meso is a comprehensive research and support center for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

For more information on making a donation click here. The Pacific Meso Center also has a page on Facebook.

Mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer, is diagnosed in close to 3,000 Americans each year.  90,000 people worldwide die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.