3. The Story Behind HASAG: From One Family’s Loss to a Lifeline for Many

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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How a daughter’s grief led to one of the UK’s leading mesothelioma support charities.

In this moving episode of Breathe Strong, host Rachel Thomas sits down with Lynne Squibb, CEO of HASAG, a charity dedicated to supporting patients and families affected by mesothelioma.

Lynne shares the personal story behind the founding of HASAG, following her father’s mesothelioma diagnosis and the family’s struggle to access care, support, and benefits.

From humble beginnings as a coffee morning, HASAG has grown into a multi-faceted charity offering home visits, benefits advice, counselling, legal support, and funding for research and specialist nurses.

This episode is a testament to what compassionate, patient-led support can achieve, and why it’s so vital.

Top 3 Takeaways:

• Support must go beyond medical care: Patients need holistic, accessible help—from benefits advice and home visits to emotional support and legal guidance. HASAG’s work fills critical gaps left by the healthcare system.
• Lived experience drives impact: Every member of the HASAG team has been personally affected by mesothelioma, bringing empathy and real-world understanding to their support.
• Collaborative care changes lives: By working closely with NHS nurses, solicitors, and other professionals, HASAG helps patients access essential resources like mobility aids, home adaptations, and even treatments not funded by the NHS.

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