Mesothelioma victim remembered in Groton, Connecticut
Workers from around the state gathered in the city of Groton, Connecticut on April 38th to honor all of those who have died from on-the-job accidents or from illnesses contracted due to poor working conditions.
April 28th was the 21st annual observance of "Workers’ Memorial Day", and a sunrise service was held in Groton to honor those who died over the last year. The ceremony began with a march by the honor guard through Washington Park, and then memorial candles were lit. Local and state leaders were also present. One man attended the ceremony to honor his dad, who had recently passed away.
"We’re honoring my father who passed away last year from mesothelioma which is a job-related injury that he actually contracted 47 years ago," Greg Kotecki told reporters at the event.
Asbestos is known to cause numerous health problems when inhaled or ingested. People who worked in industries like plumbing, shipbuilding, or other labor-intensive jobs often were exposed to asbestos, a known carcinogen used in various types of insulation and other building materials. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, but typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms. Sadly, the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.
Greg’s father worked at Electric Boat, and while he was exposed to asbestos many decades ago, Mr. Kotecki argues that many workers still face dangerous working conditions.
"As you know from the West Virginia tragedy to the oil platform tragedy off the Gulf Coast, there are a need for improvements in safety and health," he said.
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