In the early hours of November 26th 2016 Mum (Jacqueline Jordan) lost her fight to Mesothelioma. Mums Cancer was caused in her early years as a hairdresser working in a salon as a Saturday girl. Not an occupation you would expect to be at risk to asbestos inhalation.

The occupations most at risk of asbestos exposure usually involve working in closed, cramped quarters with poor (if any) ventilation. That is why it may be surprising to learn that hairdressers - in their open and well-lit places of work - are also operating at a surprising level of endangerment for on-the-job asbestos inhalation. The reason? Up until the late 1970's, asbestos was frequently used as an insulator and heat shield in hair dryers - both the hand held variety as well as the hood-type "bonnet" dryers. In fact, hairdressers are often at a disadvantage as compared to other professions because hair dryers actually force toxic and deadly asbestos fibers into hairdressers' respiratory systems via the hair dryers' increased air flow and wind generation. Further intensifying the dangers, handheld dryers are often held close to the stylists' faces, making inhalation more of a possibility. In the hood-style bonnet dryers, the asbestos linings inside the hood of the equipment can often crumble (also known as becoming "friable") over time, easily leading to the dangerous scenario of airborne asbestos dust in the workplace. Even hairdressers' family members are susceptible to asbestos disease, having possibly inhaled airborne asbestos dust and fibers brought home via unwashed hair, skin, shoes and clothes. 

Our mum showed her true strength enduring treatment for this cancer so she could enjoy as best we could the time we had left together as a family. She got to see my brother married and my niece come into the world. For which we are grateful.

So in turn I am gathering my strength and passion for cycling to try and raise some awareness of this dreadful disease. Especially its affects on Hairdressers like my mum. And along the way raise some money for the Mesothelioma UK Charitable Trust.