Annual fundraiser contributes to cancer research, prevention
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Trish Daubs is doing what she can to advance mesothelioma research so that no-one has to suffer like her parents did.
The 53-year-old Forest woman's father died in 2000 and doctors suspected, although it was never confirmed, he had the asbestos-related lung cancer.
John McHenry had spent 35 years as an insulator at Imperial Oil and worked with asbestos all his life.
Shortly after his death, Daubs' grieving mother Georgina began exhibiting similar symptoms — weight loss, nausea and shortness of breath.
Doctors at first refused to tell her mother what was wrong, Daubs said, but she was eventually told the truth and that there was no hope.
A lung biopsy confirmed she had mesothelioma. She'd gotten sick from washing her husband's asbestos-laden work clothes.
She died at age 77.
“My mother suffered incredibly, like no human being should ever have to suffer, all because she washed my father's clothes,” Daubs said. “The thing that is really upsetting is that it didn't need to happen.”
Daubs, an adult educator at the Alternative and Continuing Education Centre in Sarnia, will be part of the Canadian Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Breakfast at the Point Edward Holiday Inn April 3.
The fifth annual fundraiser kicks off the Daffodil Month fundraising campaign in Lambton County and is expected to bring in about $4,000 for the society.
Dr. Paul Demers, director of the Occupational Cancer Research Centre in Toronto, is returning to speak about cancer research and its application locally. He was also at the breakfast in 2012.
Asbestos is the leading cause of workplace cancer in Ontario, the cancer society said.
In Sarnia-Lambton, mesothelioma is a relatively common disease because of years of asbestos exposure to plant workers, Daubs said. Elsewhere, it's not.
“My mother wasn't bitter, amazingly enough, so I try not to be,” Daubs said. “But sometimes it's a struggle.”
Hundreds of deaths and illnesses are attributed to asbestos in Sarnia-Lambton, from years of lax regulation in the Chemical Valley. Those regulations have changed, but the effects of asbestos exposure are still being seen.
More generally the society estimates two out of five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer, and one in four will die from cancer.
“I really hope suffering can be alleviated and more hope can be given,” Daubs said. “Because it's so hard when there is no hope. That's the hardest part.”
Volunteers will be canvassing for donations throughout April and selling daffodil pins. Sales support cancer research and prevention initiatives through the society — marking its 75th anniversary this year.
Now 60% of Canadians diagnosed with cancer survive at least five years after their diagnosis, according to the cancer society. The survival rate was about 25% in the 1940s.
Tickets to the 7:30 a.m. Daffodil Breakfast are $20, available by calling 519-332-0042.