A routine chest X-ray led to a life-altering diagnosis for Marie Pickup, a 68-year-old grandmother from Blackburn. The examination, conducted last year for former smokers, uncovered alarming changes in her abdomen. Following further tests, doctors diagnosed her with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to exposure to asbestos.
Marie believes her illness may stem from the years she spent hugging her brother after he returned from his job as a joiner. He worked at Blackburn Corporation—now known as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council—from 1980 to 1985. Marie suspects that the dust on his work clothing could have exposed her to harmful asbestos fibers during their daily embraces.
“I remember my brother coming home from work with his clothes covered in dust,” Marie recalled. “I used to hug him as soon as he got in, and I was often there when my mum shook out his work clothes in the kitchen to get rid of the dust.” She expressed her shock and sadness, stating, “It’s only now years later that I suspect that I was unwittingly exposed to asbestos fibres brought home.”
Before her diagnosis, Marie enjoyed gardening and spending time on her narrowboat with her husband, Tony. Sadly, her illness has made it increasingly difficult for her to participate in these activities due to persistent abdominal pain. “My brother is no longer with us, but I just want to know how this happened,” she added. “I hope that anyone who remembers working for Blackburn Corporation can come forward with details.”
After receiving her diagnosis, Marie sought legal assistance from specialists in asbestos-related diseases at Irwin Mitchell. The firm is currently appealing for information regarding the refurbishment of council-owned deck access flats and renovation works on the Delph Estate during the 1980s, a period when Marie was known as Marie Halliwell.
Helen Tomlin, the solicitor representing Marie, emphasized the long-lasting impact of asbestos exposure. “Marie’s diagnosis is a stark reminder of the devastating legacy of asbestos,” she stated. “It can affect not only workers but also their loved ones many years later. We’ve sadly seen many situations like this where secondary exposure to harmful asbestos has occurred.”
Tomlin highlighted the importance of gathering information from those who worked at Blackburn Corporation during that era. “While nothing can make up for Marie’s diagnosis and what it means for the future, we are determined to provide her with the answers she deserves,” she said. “If anyone who worked for Blackburn Corporation in the early 1980s, particularly those involved in the renovation of deck access flats or the works on the Delph Estate, could come forward with information, it could prove key in helping Marie and her family understand how she was exposed to asbestos.”
Marie and her family are left grappling with the repercussions of her diagnosis. The hope remains that increased awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure can prevent future cases and provide closure for affected families.
