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READ MOREADAO Presents Alan Reinstein Award to Rushville, Indiana’s Very Own Wonder Woman
June 18, 2013
| Mesothelioma
A super hero is a character who possesses extraordinary abilities and is dedicated to protecting the public at all costs. These characters are typically confined to the pages of comic books or our television screens, but every so often a real person exhibits such qualities that deserve to be called “super.” Janelle Bedel cannot scale tall buildings nor does she carry a golden lasso, but this wonder woman has displayed the kind of strength and conviction that heroes are made of.
Today, Linda Reinstein from the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) honors Janelle Bedel with the 2014 Alan Reinstein award. ADAO has chosen Janelle to receive the award for all she has done to raise awareness about asbestos and mesothelioma across the globe. The Alan Reinstein Award, named after the late husband of Linda and first ADAO President, is one of the highest honors that ADAO presents.
For the past six years, Janelle has been battling mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. The young wife and mother recalled how she went from being in good health to fighting for her life in a matter of weeks in the ADAO “Share Your Story” series. Janelle’s battle has been tough, but throughout her struggles she has shined as an advocate for mesothelioma patients across the world.
One fateful day, Janelle happened upon a Wonder Woman T-shirt that came from a local thrift shop. The symbol of strength resounded within her and she adopted the Wonder Woman persona as her own. It wasn’t long before she became a hero for many others as well.
Janelle has devoted herself to advocating for a ban on asbestos and raising awareness for mesothelioma patients. She organized a Miles for Meso fundraiser in her hometown and rallied the people of Rushville, Indiana around the fight against asbestos disease. But it was when Janelle became too weak to keep up the fight herself that her true superhero powers began to show.
On May 19th, 2013, hundreds of people assembled to pledge their support for Janelle and donate goods and services for those battling mesothelioma. The mayor of Rushville officially recognized June 6th as Janelle Bedel “Wonder Woman” Day as well as September 26th as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
As Janelle rests in hospice care after a valiant fight against mesothelioma, hundreds of people around her carry one the fight to ban asbestos and put an end to mesothelioma for good.
The mesothelioma law firm of Baron and Budd is truly inspired by Janelle’s display of courage, resilience and heart in her fight against mesothelioma. Janelle showed us that it is in unity that we show our strength in the fight against asbestos disease.
For more on how you can support Janelle and join in the fight against mesothelioma, visit here.
For more information on ADAO, visit here.