A person’s exposure to asbestos can remain hidden for decades, particularly if the dangerous dust was picked up as a child. One north Queensland community has railed behind a family to show solidarity and raise awareness about asbestos borne diseases.
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00:00Lea Smith loved her horses and her family. Christmas was a special time.
00:08Yeah, it'll be our first one. Our first one without Lea.
00:16So, yeah, just having a quiet little Christmas together, just family.
00:22The 49-year-old died this year.
00:25She had been exposed to asbestos fibres when she was a little girl.
00:29She was diagnosed decades later with malignant mesothelioma.
00:34Asbestos diseases have a long latency period, which means they can take up to 30, even 50 years to appear.
00:40Open your mouth. Good boy.
00:43Now her family and friends are raising awareness about asbestos-related diseases
00:48by remembering her passion for horse riding at the local equestrian club at Serena in North Queensland.
00:55Lea was such a passionate horse person and she loved riding in her casual clothes when she wasn't competing.
01:01They've copied her low-key look in an event to pay tribute.
01:05Smile, looks like you're having fun.
01:07And to acknowledge the 4,000 people nationwide who also lost their lives this year to asbestos-related illnesses.
01:15Now to put it into some context, that's three times the national road toll.
01:19Lea did so much for so many people within our area, especially our horse community.
01:24So I think it's great that we remember Lea.
01:28They hope to make the event an annual affair.
01:31It could bring people together to just have fun with each other, with their horses,
01:35but also talk about the disease and just help create awareness.