The Wallsend, England-based Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund (MKMRF) reached a fundraising milestone during its ninth annual ball.  Just 10 years after founder Chris Knighton’s husband died of mesothelioma, leading to the foundation of the organization, the MKMRF has raised £1 million.

“The charity started off nine years ago with the aim of raising £100,000 in three years. We’ve managed to raise so much more than we could have ever imagined,” explained Anne Craig, a MKMRF official who began campaigning after husband David died from asbestos cancer in 2002.  “The money has so far funded four research studies and we are hoping to fund the first tissue bank in the UK.”

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the protective lining of the body’s major organs and cavities.  It is caused almost exclusively by prolonged asbestos exposure, and many victims are exposed on the job.  Mesothelioma may take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop, but it is an aggressive and terminal cancer.  There is no known cure and most patients only live between six to 18 months after diagnosis.

“We’d like to thank all those who have supported us during the last nine years,” said Craig when announcing reaching the fundraising goal. “They have made a huge difference to mesothelioma sufferers and their families – not just in the North East, but elsewhere.”

The MKMRF organization also runs support groups based in Wallsend and Washington to help victims and their families cope with mesothelioma.  For more information, please visit www.mick knightonmesorf.org.

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