Marie Pickup, a 68-year-old grandmother from Blackburn, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, which she suspects may have originated from childhood hugs with her brother. Her health began to decline after a routine chest X-ray last year revealed alarming changes in her abdomen. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed she has peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
Marie recalls her brother’s return home from his job as a joiner at Blackburn Corporation, now known as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. He worked there from 1980 to 1985, often coming home covered in dust. Marie embraced him immediately upon his arrival, and she vividly remembers her mother shaking out his work clothes in the kitchen to remove the dust.
Reflecting on her diagnosis, Marie stated, “It’s only now years later that I suspect that I was unwittingly exposed to asbestos fibres brought home. I’m shocked and saddened that something so innocent may have resulted in my diagnosis.” This realization has dramatically altered her lifestyle. A passionate gardener and lover of time spent on their narrowboat with her husband, Tony, Marie now struggles to engage in these activities due to the pain in her abdomen.
Unfortunately, Marie’s brother has since passed away, adding to her grief as she seeks answers about her condition. She has reached out to specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to assist her in uncovering the circumstances surrounding her exposure to asbestos.
Seeking Information from Former Workers
Irwin Mitchell is currently appealing for information regarding the refurbishment of council-owned deck access flats and renovation works on the Delph Estate during the 1980s. At that time, Marie was known as Marie Halliwell.
Helen Tomlin, the solicitor representing Marie, emphasized the broader implications of asbestos exposure: “Marie’s diagnosis is a stark reminder of the devastating legacy of asbestos exposure, which can affect not only workers but also their loved ones many years later.” She noted the firm’s experience with similar cases where secondary exposure to asbestos has had dire consequences.
Tomlin urged anyone who worked at Blackburn Corporation in the early 1980s, especially those involved in the renovation of deck access flats or the Delph Estate, to come forward with any relevant details. She expressed the urgency of gathering information that could help Marie and her family understand how this exposure occurred.
While Marie’s diagnosis is deeply distressing, her pursuit of answers highlights the ongoing risks associated with asbestos and the need for awareness about its harmful effects. The call for information may provide crucial insight for not only Marie but for many others who could be affected by similar circumstances.
