BCBH Law Partner Craig Bullock Shares Personal Connection to Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Mesothelioma Awareness Day was created in 2004 by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. This day of recognition and remembrance takes place annually on September 26. 

Mesothelioma has been around for centuries, but not until the 1940s did scientists connect its development to asbestos. The rare disease is only caused by this toxic substance, which puts millions of Americans at risk of malignant diseases.

Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with this cancer each year. Unfortunately, the number of cases has not declined, and people exposed to asbestos now and even decades ago will continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma in the years to come.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day offers a chance for patients, survivors, and loved ones to come together and honor those affected by this terrible disease. Many people choose to observe this day by wearing blue and sharing their support through social media posts. Oftentimes, organizations will host events to educate the public and spread awareness. 

Sadly, one of Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris’ own senior partners, Craig Bullock, knows first-hand how asbestos-related illnesses can impact a family. Both his father and grandfather developed asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis and lung cancer) due to working in settings that involved asbestos.

We spoke with Craig to provide insight into what Mesothelioma Awareness Day means to him. 

Q: What is your connection to mesothelioma/asbestos?

A: I grew up in a blue collar family. My dad and both grandfathers worked for chemical plants or oil refineries. My paternal grandfather also served in the Navy during World War II. They were all exposed to huge amounts of asbestos during their working careers.

Q: What does Mesothelioma Awareness Day mean to you?

A: Mesothelioma Awareness Day represents a day to reflect and remember the brave men and women who struggled with this terrible disease. It’s a day to honor mesothelioma victims’ fight to cope with the daily struggles that mesothelioma brings, and to bring awareness to a disease that will hopefully, someday, be eradicated — or, in the alternative, medicine will be introduced that can add many years to the victim’s survival rates.

Q: Why did you want to become an asbestos lawyer? What made you wish to go into this specific type of litigation?

A: I knew after taking my first torts class in my first semester (of law school) that I wanted to be a plaintiffs lawyer who helped the little guy fight against corporate greed. After law school, my grandfather was diagnosed with asbestosis, which drew me to the world of asbestos litigation. I eventually landed a job with an asbestos litigation firm and am thankful that my path has brought me to where I am today. I also knew it was the right decision as my dad eventually would be diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer in 2015 and succumbed to the disease within three months of his diagnosis. So being an asbestos lawyer is very personal to me.