I have fundraised for this charity for a number of years and have attended their conferences. My company is a a donor to them as well. They are an amazing resources to those that have been affected my mesothelioma.
I am honored to host the Bruce A. Waite 5k annually, with proceeds going to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. In keeping with my Dad's legacy, we wanted to ensure that the recipient agency would be one of integrity, honesty, and a focus on helping others who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma. Since the inception of the race, I have had opportunity to become a volunteer for the Foundation, through a community board and MesoTV. The Meso Foundation works diligently for mesothelioma patients and families to assist in a myriad of ways (research grants, patient care, family support), always with the understanding that we are not alone in this journey.
Jill A. Waite
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The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the nonprofit to whom we donate the proceeds from the Bruce A. Waite 5k. As a daughter of a man who died from mesothelioma, I sought an agency who would help families navigate the horror of this diagnosis, and who is focused on research to eradicate this disease, so no other families have to endure what we did. MARF has integrity as an organization, and with each individual affiliated - employee, volunteer, etc.
This community of people gave me hope, insight, a shoulder and education on my mesothelioma diagnosis. They helped my family and myself with questions and locations. They are here to save lives and find a cure!
My grandfather and his best friend died of meso, an asbestos related cancer. It is relatively common in places with large military populations. But the general public understands little about this disease and people have few places to turn to for good information on treatment options and a community of fellow warriors. This fine organization provides guidance for people with this lethal disease and funds research, organizes conferences, puts together support groups, lobbies for a patient registry and other much-needed services. Without MARF, thousands of people would struggle alone with a fatal disease that is understood by few doctors, let alone lay people. I have attended their conferences to learn about the advances in the war against meso and am astonished that the director of the foundation, Mary Hesdorffer, personally fields calls from patients desperate for information and support. I can’t say enough good things about MARF.
This nonprofit does so much for people with mesothelioma, both patients and caregivers. They are so patient-focused and offer endless treatment resources and support groups. All of the information shared with this group is private (they don't resell your name, etc.). It's all about the patients here, which is so wonderful. The caring individuals associated with this foundation give people support, hope and roadmap for a bright future. I donate regularly as I know my money is going to a great place and will be used to help patients and fund research for a cure.
The Meso Foundation and its dedicated staff gave our family courage when we needed it the most - to help us through our son Adam's peritoneal mesothelioma, and to help Adam see that he was not alone with this awful illness. Every penny given to the Foundation has resulted in better treatments and hope for thousands of patients and their families. Survival rates are up, and the network supported by the Foundation allows patients and family members to access medical experts and promising treatments, and allows researchers to move forward. Thank you, Meso Foundation.
I have several friends who are either battling mesothelioma, have a loved one who is (or who died from it), or are health care providers to meso patients. From them, I have learned that the Meso Foundation is the kind of nonprofit all others should strive to emulate! Its leaders are eminently ethical and professional in their operation of the foundation and stewardship of its funds -- and they provide absolutely priceless support to meso patients and caregivers. More than one of my friends have told me the Meso Foundation is the first place that gave them hope for effective treatment of their cancer, rather than just bad news. The Foundation stays on top of -- and helps fund -- the latest treatments for mesothelioma, and connects patients and families with expert doctors and nurses who are using these treatments. As a result, my friends who have the disease are alive today! The Meso Foundation also does a wonderful job of bringing patients and caregivers together in their yearly Symposium...and one of the truly healing and bonding experiences that has developed at this event is a band! They call themselves the Meso Fighters Band, and I wrote a blog post about them here. Please forgive the shameless plug...only including the link because it is absolutely an example of what makes the Meso Foundation, and all associated with it, exceptional: http://www.jcsmusicsbest.blogspot.com/2015/08/we-will-rock-you-meso-fighters-band.html
Incredible peer support for a rare disease that doesn't have a lot of support elsewhere. The foundation helps the entire family, not just the patient. The funding they have provided for research has truly made a differenced in the world of mesothelioma treatment. i'm proud to continually spread the word and raise money for this foundation, as I know it will be used for research.
This is a great foundation with purpose. It has helped many families that are going through an unbelievably tough time. Trying to provide answers, where there are none. Trying to provide solutions, where they are needed. They have played a very influential role in members of my families lives. We all appreciate everything they have done.