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• MESOTHELIOMA APPLIED RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC

To suffer with cancer is a difficult task at best; to suffer alone is unconscionable. My husband was struck with mesothelioma in September of 2007. Internet searches for information about mesothelioma were dismal at best until I happened upon MARF. It’s difficult for me to see MARF as an organization but rather a group of people who are truly passionate about helping those afflicted with mesothelioma as well as their caregivers, families, and medical personnel associated with this disease. MARF not only offers much needed information about meso in a straightforward, easy to understand manner, they offer hope. And as anyone associated with cancer will tell you, we should all be allowed hope. The folks at MARF are quick to return phone calls, knowledgeable with answers and work diligently to support and fund research that may one day offer a cure for this terrible cancer.

When my husband of thirty-eight years was diagnosed with mesothelioma back in 2000, we were told by the first doctor we went to that he had approximately six months to live. Though that doctor didn't say, "Go home and die," he wanted to operate and he'd had only twelve meso patients before my husband -- none of whom lived more than a month or two past the surgery. Someone told us that the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation had a packet of information about the disease and meso doctors. We got that packet, learned there was more to fighting meso than letting a doctor with no experience practice on a loved one -- that there was a chance to lengthen my husband's life even if meso couldn't be cured. We got four years of being together instead of six months thanks to information about Dr. Sugarbaker and other doctors we found through the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. There was even helpful advice on dealing with "ambulance-chasing lawyers" and on avoiding scammers -- interesting because it was founded by a lawyer whose father, I believe, had contracted meso. The Foundation has come a long way in the last nine years. I see it connecting people into a network of assistance with all manner of questions that meso victims and their families have to deal with. MARF responds to real needs! (Bec Gilbert)

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has been and remains an important organization in my fight with mesothelioma. Upon receiving my diagnosis in July of 2007, my wife and I were in a state of chaos. Definitive information about this disease, its treatment and contact with another person who was fighting this battle was non existent for us until we found the Foundation. Within 24 hours of placing a call to the 800 phone number, we received a call from a staff nurse who was willing to spend time answering all of our questions. The additional resources provided by the Foundation did, and continue to provide support and information for us. This is truly a deserving, client centered, organization which should be supported in any way possible.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, was extremely helpful during my husbands battle with Mesothelioma cancer. I was heartbroken after my husbands diagnosis and went searching for some info. about this cancer that I had never heard of. From my first contact with MARF I was introduced to a nurse who listened to all my questions and then answered them one by one. She put me in touch with a Mesothelioma patient in my area and I was able to meet this person, hear about her treatments and make informed decisions. I have developed a strong bond with this wonderful lady. I was able to take my husband to see several doctors that are experts in Mesothelioma because of the information I had attained. This saved us precious time. We met the best doctors on the East coast and we were able to make the most informed decisions on treatments, because this cancer has no cure each doctor has a different theory on treatment. I believe with out the help of MARF, my husband would have never survived for the 17 months he did. Most patients are given a 6-9 month life expectancy. MARF is heavly involved in getting the laws in the United States changed so everyday people will not be exposed to asbestos. Exposure to the deadly mineral is the main cause of Mesothelioma. Once Mesothelioma has taken a hold it is a terrible painful death. Ithink this is a wonderful Foundation and in much need of public exposure.

MARF has been a wonderfully supportive organization, providing links between patients and doctors, researchers, and other patients as well as information on the latest research into the treatments and causes of mesothelioma. Patients with this rare disease often have little local access to information, and this is the one organization with links throughout the country that can provide help that is often not available through doctors and hospitals. MARF also lobbies for legislation to eliminate the danger of asbestos, which still exists, despite the widespread notion that it has been removed.