Every September, thousands of families touched by mesothelioma unite in hope, advocacy, and action. Mesothelioma Awareness Day is a national observance held on September 26, with Mesothelioma Awareness Month spanning the entire month of September. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) started in 2004, and it gained federal recognition in 2010. Throughout September, mesothelioma patients, families, caregivers, and advocates come together to share stories, honor loved ones, and spread knowledge about the dangers of asbestos and the cancers it causes. Experts estimate between 2,500 and 3,000 people in the U.S. die each year from mesothelioma.
While Mesothelioma Awareness Month is not officially recognized, those affected by mesothelioma and their supporters dedicate all 30 days of September to advocacy and education. Over the past two decades, the awareness movement has expanded nationwide. Now, supporters are setting record engagement numbers through fundraising events, social media campaigns, and local gatherings. This growth honors those who have lost their lives to mesothelioma and inspires people nationwide to participate and raise awareness.
Despite efforts to improve education and mesothelioma awareness, over a million workers in the United States still come into contact with asbestos in the workplace, and thousands of new patients receive a mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Many people ask ‘How much asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma?’ The concerning reality is that even minimal exposure can be dangerous, with cases documented from brief workplace contact or secondary exposure through contaminated clothing.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Spreading awareness helps with early detection by encouraging those affected by asbestos to recognize its symptoms sooner. Awareness also connects patients with specialized treatment centers, helps families understand their legal rights, and fuels research funding to advance treatment and research, bringing new hope to patients and their caregivers. Deaths from the rare form of cancer and other asbestos-related conditions are nearly entirely preventable with awareness and education about the dangers of exposure.
Even after knowing the dangers associated with asbestos, it is still legal in the United States. Some restrictions exist under current laws regarding asbestos, but it is not entirely banned. Many still ask, “When was asbestos banned?” and the unfortunate answer is that there has never been a full ban enacted. Awareness helps push for stronger protections by educating more people about the risks thousands of our country’s hardest workers and first responders face when they come into contact with asbestos while on the job. Over 3,000 commercially available products in the U.S. still contain a small amount of asbestos. There are many different ways you can join in raising mesothelioma awareness during Mesothelioma Awareness Month and on Mesothelioma Awareness Day. By participating in awareness events, you can help contribute to the demand for change while providing hope to those suffering through new research and support.
Animation showing September 26 Mesothelioma Awareness Day with a blue ribbon promoting mesothelioma awareness.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mesothelioma, you can raise community recognition to show support. Being involved in sharing educational resources, participating in Cancer Awareness Day events, or wearing a mesothelioma cancer ribbon helps bring recognition to the cause. During Mesothelioma Awareness Month and Mesothelioma Awareness Day, you can also join national campaigns or local initiatives that highlight the dangers of the devastating disease. If you can, consider donating to organizations dedicated to preventing mesothelioma and raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos fibers. These contributions help honor those affected by improving research, education, and advocacy for those suffering.
With the rise of social media, spreading awareness can now reach people nationwide. One way to support Mesothelioma Awareness is by joining the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) in its official mesothelioma awareness campaign. Each year during Mesothelioma Awareness Month and on Mesothelioma Awareness Day, landmarks across the country light up blue in honor of mesothelioma. MARF has a directory to help you find participating landmarks near you so you can get involved in supporting the cause. Those attending are encouraged to take photos and share them on social media using the hashtag #MoreThanMeso. Joining in on the action helps spread awareness to your friends and family online and unites the community in the hope of a cure. Participating in mesothelioma awareness events helps maintain local attention and advocacy, and strengthens the fight for an official asbestos ban.
Blue is the official mesothelioma awareness color, and supporters are encouraged to wear blue or the mesothelioma cancer ribbon to show their support. Many people nationwide participate by sharing photos on social media of themselves wearing the ribbon or blue to support national campaigns that highlight the ongoing fight against asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. MARF offers campaign resources to help individuals and communities get involved, make it easy to spread awareness, and honor those affected.
Supporters can participate in fundraisers and community events that bring people together in honor of mesothelioma awareness. Popular activities include:
Aside from these fundraisers, virtual awareness events and local community gatherings provide those affected and their supporters with opportunities to get involved. Participating in any mesothelioma event helps raise funds needed to advance mesothelioma treatment research, and amplifies the call for an asbestos ban through united participation.
Many leading organizations play a role in advancing mesothelioma awareness and supporting those affected by asbestos exposure. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) is one of the largest organizations involved in funding research, hosting patient conferences, and leading Cancer Awareness Day campaigns. Another leading organization, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), focuses on education and advocacy, and advocates for an official asbestos ban. The Pacific Mesothelioma Center also helps support medical studies and community programs, and the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMiG) unites global researchers, allowing them to share their progress and findings with other researchers searching for a cure. Those interested in supporting their efforts can donate to any of the organizations, volunteer in awareness events, or support their online campaign during Mesothelioma Awareness Month.
Global participation in mesothelioma awareness events focuses on advocacy for a worldwide asbestos ban. Many people ask, “How much asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma?” but the reality is that even a small amount of exposure can be life-threatening. Asbestos remains legal in many different places around the world, including the United States. Mesothelioma Awareness organizations work to create stronger laws regarding asbestos and aim at preventing future cases of mesothelioma. These groups also provide education to those affected by asbestos, in hopes of reducing asbestos exposure nationwide.
Several organizations worldwide are pushing for an asbestos ban. The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat leads global campaigns to reduce asbestos use, and the Ban Asbestos Network India advocates for stronger laws regarding asbestos in one of the world’s largest asbestos markets. Regional groups across Europe, Asia, and Latin America work together to protect their workers, raise awareness, and reduce asbestos-related diseases. All of these organizations’ efforts to ban asbestos help bring hope for a future free of the life-threatening fiber.
Many activist organizations around the world play a part in spreading Mesothelioma Awareness in hopes of an asbestos ban. Key organizations in this movement include the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, Asbestos Dieases Society of Victoria, Asbestos Victims Association (SA) Inc., Asbestos Victims Families Casale, Asian Ban Asbestos Network, Associazione Esposti Amianto, Right on Canada, Ban Asbestos Canada, Ban Asbestos France, Ban Asbestos Network Japan, and Ban Asbestos Network of India. These organizations continue to educate their local communities, support local patients and their families, and advocate for stronger laws regarding asbestos during Mesothelioma Awareness Month and on Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
2024-2025 advances in mesothelioma research are bringing new hope to those suffering and their loved ones. Throughout the year, clinical trials have shown promising results with immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors that have improved survival rates for some patients by more than 20%. Researchers are also testing new therapies such as gene-targeted treatments and tumor vaccines that aid in slowing disease progression.
These groundbreaking clinical trials highlight the importance of continuing mesothelioma research. Together, we can come to support Mesothelioma Awareness Day and raise funds to continue research, offering hope for longer survival, a better quality of life, and a future free from asbestos. Supporters can also participate in broader cancer awareness day events throughout the year to connect mesothelioma advocacy with the wider cancer community.
You don’t have to wait until September to get involved in mesothelioma awareness support. You can participate in events all year by attending educational webinars, joining fundraising events, or volunteering at organizations near you. By contributing your time, resources, or spreading the word online, you can make a significant impact on someone’s life who is currently suffering from the devastating disease. Participating in mesothelioma awareness events throughout the year helps strengthen awareness and education beyond Mesothelioma Awareness Month. Reach out to our patient advocates today to find out more ways you can get involved in supporting mesothelioma awareness.
What Color Is Mesothelioma Awareness?
The official color of mesothelioma awareness is blue, and many people wear it during September to show their support.
When Is Mesothelioma Awareness Month?
Every September, supporters come together to support Mesothelioma Awareness Month.
When Is Mesotheelioma Awareness Day?
Mesothelioma Awareness Day is observed annually on September 26. The day joins other cancer awareness day observances in educating the public about prevention and early detection.
What Color Ribbon Is for mesothelioma?
The official mesothelioma cancer ribbon is blue.
When Is Asbestos Banned?
The United States has not banned asbestos. There are currently laws regarding asbestos, but the mineral is still legal in some products.
How Do You Get Mesothelioma?
Inhaling or ingesting disturbed asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma. Understanding how much asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma remains critical for prevention efforts. Awareness organizations worldwide push for comprehensive bans.
How Can I Support Survivors?
You can support survivors by donating to research foundations, volunteering with advocacy groups, participating in fundraising events, and helping raise awareness during Mesothelioma Awareness Month and on Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
Isabella collaborates with our patient advocacy team to educate the public about asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma. She is dedicated to providing assistance and support to families affected by mesothelioma.
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. (2021). ADAO’s 16th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference. Retrieved on September 20, 202, from https://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Mesothelioma Basics. Retrieved on September 20, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/mesothelioma/about/index.html.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. (n.d.). Mission Statement. Retrieved on September 20, 2025, from https://www.curemeso.org/about-us/mission-statement/
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. (n.d.). Get Involved. Retrieved on September 20, 2025, from https://www.curemeso.org/get-involved/get-involved-events/mesothelioma-awareness-day/.
National Library of Medicine. (2023). Malignant Mesothelioma: Facts, Myths and Hypotheses. Retrieved on September 20, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3143206/.