The Linden City Council and Mayor Armstead issued a proclamation Tuesday declaring Sept. 26, 2025, as Mesothelioma Awareness Day in Linden following a presentation by resident and advocate John Anderson. The proclamation, signed by Council President Michelle Yamakaitis and attested by City Clerk Joseph Vodek, outlines mesothelioma’s links to asbestos exposure and urges public awareness of research and treatment needs.

The declaration notes that mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects linings of the lungs, abdomen or other organs and that asbestos exposure—often occupational or military-related—remains present in older buildings. The proclamation says the disease’s latency can range from 10 to 50 years and cites a five-year survival rate of about 12 percent.

John Anderson, a longtime Linden resident, addressed the council and described the local impact of the disease in his family. “My wife, Bonnie Anderson, was diagnosed with mesothelioma while living in Linden and passed away two years ago,” Anderson said. He said his wife’s work history included time at Exxon and described the couple’s local ties: “My daughter, Darcy, worked in Bayway and went to the Linden schools.”

Mayor Armstead read the text of the resolution and called for the proclamation to raise public awareness and support research. The council did not record a roll-call vote on the proclamation; it was presented and attested as a ceremonial proclamation and placed on the meeting record.

Why it matters: mesothelioma has a long latency period and a low survival rate, and local proclamations are intended to raise awareness about screening, patient support and research funding. The council’s action is largely ceremonial but may direct city outreach and publicity around the Sept. 26 date.

The council closed the presentation by thanking Anderson for his advocacy and noting the proclamation will be posted with other city proclamations. The city clerk attested the proclamation for the public record.