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Alan's fight goes on after death
A CANCER victim who lost his battle with industrial disease has left a lasting legacy in an emotional video appeal to Government ministers.
Alan Clark, 59, was diagnosed with pleural plaques in 2000, and was left devastated earlier this year when doctors confirmed he had developed the asbestos cancer mesothelioma.
He lost his fight last month, leaving wife Stella and daughters Sharon Wilson, 37, Kristina Hamilton, 35, and Elaine Clark, 34.
Alan, also a granddad-of-two, was one of the last to successfully claim compensation for pleural plaques before the law was changed in 2007, leaving sufferers only able to qualify when diagnosed with mesothelioma.
But before succumbing to the disease Alan, from Ormesby Road, Hartlepool, threw his weight behind a campaign to have the law changed to give fellow sufferers the right to compensation.
A video interview Alan did was shown at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in Liverpool last week, where he pleaded with ministers to back the unions in their bid to help fellow sufferers.
Alan's moving message was screened as part of the Hope video, which was put together by TUC officials.
The video outlined the reasons why unions are calling for compensation for pleural plaques sufferers to be reinstated after it was ended by the House of Lords in 2007.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said an announcement on pleural plaques compensation will be made when Parliament resumes in the autumn.
Alan was diagnosed with pleural plaques after many years of working with asbestos as a thermal insulation engineer on various industrial sites.
Before his death he talked candidly to the Mail about his exposure to asbestos while working as a lagger and how his father had also died from mesothelioma.
Speaking to the Mail in April, he said: "When I was diagnosed with pleural plaques I panicked.
"It felt like my death certificate had been signed and I knew it would only be a matter of time before I was told I had mesothelioma. I worried about it ever since.
"I never expected to get cancer so quickly. I thought I had decades left. I am proof that pleural plaques can lead to mesothelioma, and I want the Government to take what has happened to me into consideration.
"Pleural plaques sufferers should be compensated for the damage to their lungs and the worry of the death sentence hanging over them.
"They should receive that compensation quickly."
Tom Brennan, the regional secretary of the GMB, said: "This moving video symbolises the trade union campaign for justice for asbestos victims.
"Alan's story is heart-wrenching.
"Tragically, far too many of our members have suffered in the same way.
His tale is a reminder of what the fight for compensation is about and we will not back down until we have justice."
Thompsons Solicitors are looking after Alan's family affairs, and their head of asbestos policy, Ian McFall, said: "Despite enduring the pain of his terminal illness and being acutely aware of his impending death, Alan was determined to speak out in support of the unions' campaign.
"His family agreed that the video should be used to help other asbestos victims, which is exactly what Alan wanted.
"With backing from the trade unions I hope Alan's dying wishes will not be in vain and will serve as a powerful reminder to Government that the rights of pleural plaques sufferers must be restored."
To view video visit www.unionstogether.org.uk/justice
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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