October 14, 2026

Swindon Mesothelioma Awareness Day 2026

Posted in Mesothelioma

Author

David Hughes

Senior Associate

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On Friday 25 September 2026, RWK Goodman, together with HASAG, hosted a Mesothelioma Awareness Day event at the Swindon Mesothelioma Memorial Garden. The event provided an opportunity to remember those who have sadly lost their lives to mesothelioma, as well as the families and loved ones affected by this incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, while also raising awareness of the ongoing legacy of asbestos exposure.

The Swindon Mesothelioma Memorial Garden, located in Queen’s Park, was opened in 2003 and recently renovated and reopened in 2024. It provides a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance of those who have sadly lost their lives and those of loved ones to what has become known as the “Swindon Disease”. Asbestos was widely prevalent throughout Swindon’s industrial heritage, particularly at The Great Western Railway where asbestos was used extensively in and around locomotives, boilers and pipework. It was common for generations of family members to work at the railway, meaning that exposure to asbestos was sadly experienced by many families across Swindon.

Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, many people who worked at the railway and were exposed to asbestos during their employment many years ago are only now suffering the consequences.

The memorial event formed part of HASAG’s 20 for 20 event series, to celebrate the charity’s 20th anniversary. HASAG is a dedicated charity who support those affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. They provide a range of services including support and information, community coffee mornings and counselling, to name a few. Lisa Bello from HASAG kindly spoke at the event, sharing HASAG’s progress and achievements over the years since its inception in 2006. Lisa shared that “HASAG’s aim is to go and see patients at a very difficult time and offer our support, not only for financial but to also help moving forward with any future needs.”

The event was hosted by Rachel James, head of the Thames Valley Respiratory Disease Team at RWK Goodman, with key speakers Lisa Bello from HASAG; Former Councillor Stan Pajak; Deputy Mayor Councillor Gayle Cook and Heidi Alexander, MP for Swindon South and Secretary of State for Transport.

Rachel James spoke at the event and shared

“Mesothelioma is a devastating disease. It’s important that we come to together at events like this to commemorate those impacted and to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos. Also, to raise awareness of the dedicated support services that are available for those impacted by this horrible disease.”

The event concluded with a ceremonial dove release and a reminder that asbestos is not a problem of the past. Although the use of asbestos is now banned, its legacy lives on and continues to affect thousands of individuals and their families with more than 2,500 diagnoses each year in the UK alone.

We will continue to remember those who have sadly lost their lives to mesothelioma and to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos that still exist today.