Honoring veterans with mesothelioma on Coast Guard Day

The U.S. Coast Guard was founded on August 4, 1790. (Photo from Robin Storm's blog)

The United States Coast Guard was founded in 1790 to enforce tax laws, but over two centuries, it has grown into the only branch of the military that "protects the maritime economy and the environment, defends our maritime borders, and saves those in peril." As we near August 4, Coast Guard Day, we reflect on those who served in the USCG who have put their own lives in peril through asbestos exposure on military vessels.

As the only branch of the military besides the Marines to retain its own day after the creation of the Department of Defense in 1949 (see this Department of Defense article for an interesting history of Armed Forces Day and the creation of the DoD), the Coast Guard occupy a unique position within the US Armed Forces. Sadly, like every other branch of the military, some Coast Guard veterans have developed mesothelioma from their asbestos exposure during their service.

The bravery of the men and women who have served in the Coast Guard is the stuff of legend, and the unique position they occupy--as guardians of the borders, and protectors of the economy and environment as it pertains to the sea--is best summed up the U.S. Coast Guard's Historian's Office:

 The U. S. Coast Guard is simultaneously and at all times an armed force and federal law enforcement agency dedicated to safety, security, and stewardship missions. We save lives. We protect the environment. We defend the homeland. We enforce Federal laws on the high seas, the nation's coastal waters and its inland waterways. We are unique in the Nation and the world.

Though Coast Guard Day is "primarily an internal activity for active duty Coast Guard personnel, civilian members, reservists, retirees, auxiliarists, and dependents," it should be observed by everyone who benefits from the services the USCG  provides. Grand Haven, Michigan sponsors the Coast Guard Festival every year around August 4. The DoD describes the festival as "the largest community celebration of a branch of the Armed Forces in the nation."

Two U.S. COast Guards rescue a puppy. (Photo from USmilitary.com)

This Coast Guard Day, remember the active duty and retired Coast Guard members that serve and have served our country, protecting its borders, commerce, environment and more, sometimes sacrificing their lives for our safety, serving with the Navy during wartime. Thank you, Coast Guards, for all you do for us.

Department of Defense funds mesothelioma research

The DoD is funding mesothelioma researchers for the year 2011-2012.

Good news for veterans with mesothelioma: for the 4th year in a row, the Department of Defense is funding mesothelioma research, due to veterans' higher rates of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases. The DoD's website announced June 29, 2011 that they are accepting applications for grants from the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP).

The PRCRP was established “to support research into specifically designated cancers with relevance to military service members and their families.” Mesothelioma affects veterans at a higher rate than it affects civilians, due to widespread military asbestos exposure, especially in the Second World War and Korean War.

Registered nurse and mesothelioma patient advocate Mary Hesdorffer testified before the U.S. Committee on Appropriations in defense of funding mesothelioma research, noting that it is the very definition of a cancer with relevance to military service members and their families:

“Almost 3,000 Americans die each year of mesothelioma, and one study found that one third of patients were exposed on U.S. Navy ships or shipyards. That is 1,000 U.S. veterans and shipyard workers per year, lost through service to country, just as if they had been on a battlefield.”

World War II veterans faced a great amount of asbestos exposure.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, with whom Hersdorffer is affiliated, reported that in 2007, mesothelioma received “as little as 9 times less funding than other cancers.”

Way to go, DoD! Paying for mesothelioma research is the right thing to do, given that many mesothelioma sufferers were exposed during their time in the service. Until we learn more about mesothelioma, veterans and other Americans will continue to suffer poor prognoses and painful battles with asbestos cancer. 

If you know any cancer researchers (I don't, but you never know who's reading!), tell them to check out the deadlines for applying for this grant: http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/prcrp.shtml. Good luck, researchers!