How it all began.……. In a David and Goliath battle against James Hardie Industries, Bernie Banton AM, was the public face for asbestos disease sufferers, their loved ones, and the wider affected community.
Bernie’s legacy of advocating for asbestos disease sufferers and their loved ones continued……
THE BERNIE BANTON FOUNDATION
How it continued………. After Bernie’s death on the 27 November 2007, his widow Karen Banton, who had stood by his side during illness and triumph, founded the Bernie Banton Foundation on 19 June 2009 to carry on his work.
The Foundation was fiercely apolitical, and was founded by Karen Banton for only one reason, to uphold what Bernie Banton AM believed in; to assist people to navigate the difficult journey an asbestos related disease diagnosis presents; to enable people to have informed choice about specialist asbestos disease litigators and medical professionals; to prevent people being exposed to asbestos by creating awareness of mesothelioma asbestos cancer and other asbestos related diseases; and to advocate for, and to be:
‘The voice of reason for Australian asbestos related disease sufferers, their carers and loved ones, allied health and care providers, and to the wider community.’
The Foundation advocated on behalf of sufferers of asbestos related diseases, their carers, their loved ones, and allied health and care providers. It particularly advocated on Supportive Care Option issues such as; medical and legal referral; hospitals and cancer centres; clinical trials; palliative care and support networks; and liaising with the NSW Government’s, icare Dust Diseases Care. It also advocated pharmaceutical companies and governments on wider issues such as subsidising treatment drugs, funding for research and supportive care options. Within Australia it worked with like-minded stakeholders to advocate in unity to further advances regarding these issues.
The Bernie Banton Foundation completed a planned winding up, and ceased operating at COB 30 June 2020.
The breath beneath your wings®
