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Byline: Mike Blackburn Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough, England), September 4, 2006 A bereaved daughter is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for research into a devastating disease which killed her dad. Carol Orton's 68-year-old dad Harry Gray died in 2002 after a six-month battle against mesothelioma, a lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The grandad-of-15 became ill after being exposed to asbestos fibres throughout his working life as a lagger. There is no known cure and now Carol, of Hartlepool, hopes to raise at least pounds 2,000 for the National Macmillan Mesothelioma Resource Centre to fund research into the disease. She said: "There is no cure for mesothelioma and my dad did not receive any treatment to try to extend his life. "We want to make people aware of this disease and to raise money for research to see if the experts can come up with a magic solution. "Any new treatment will not bring my dad back, but it will help friends who are suffering from mesothelioma caused by where they worked." Ian McFall, head of the asbestos team at Thompson Solicitors, in Middlesbrough, is supporting the fundraising event. He said: "Scores of men in the Teesside area are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, and the number can only increase due to the large number of shipyard employees who worked with asbestos. "It is important research is carried out to find the most effective way to treat mesothelioma patients." Thompsons Solicitors is urging the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to rethink its decision in June to withdraw the life-extending cancer drug Alimta from use on the NHS. The drug is not a cure for mesothelioma but it is said to reduce symptoms and maintain quality of life. Mr McFall said it was vital that NICE reconsidered its decision: "For some dying cancer victims Alimta is their only chance to improve their quality of life during what is a devastating time for the victim and the family." * The charity gala night will be held on Tuesday, September 5, at Hartlepool Workingman's Club, at 7pm. Tickets are pounds 3.
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