Tribute to Helen Bone: a reminder that mesothelioma can affect anyone

Helen Bone’s life was one of extraordinary compassion and resilience. A devoted wife to Mark and mother to three daughters aged 10 to 17, Helen dedicated her life to caring for others. As a qualified nurse and clinical practitioner, her career encompassed intensive care and respiratory work. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she worked on the front line, helping critically ill patients even as her own health began to deteriorate.

In August 2021, Helen was diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing persistent chest pain and a cough she initially attributed to Covid. Her diagnosis was a stark reminder that mesothelioma is not limited to older men who have worked in traditional industrial occupations. Helen’s story, as a young woman with a young family, challenges the stereotype associated with this disease and highlights how mesothelioma can affect anyone.

Despite her diagnosis, Helen remained determined to live life on her terms. Though initially eager to return to work, her consultant advised her to prioritise time with her family. She eventually pursued her passion for skincare, opening her own aesthetics clinic where she could maintain a sense of purpose and control over her schedule.

Helen was pragmatic and resilient, traits she attributed to a lifetime of overcoming challenges, including being born with a cleft lip and palate which had her in and out of hospital throughout her teenage years. She refused to let mesothelioma define her, focusing instead on raising awareness about the disease and the dangers of asbestos. Helen tirelessly advocated for improved safety in schools, hospitals, and workplaces, warning of the looming risks posed by deteriorating buildings containing asbestos. She believed prevention was key and hoped her efforts would save others from her own fate.

Helen’s strength was matched by her emotional honesty. She openly shared her struggles with sadness and uncertainty, yet found solace in her family, friends, and the mesothelioma support community. She connected with others facing similar battles, finding encouragement in a young person’s group that understood her unique experience.

Helen’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and determination. She used her voice to educate others about the silent dangers of asbestos and the need for greater awareness and action. Her story inspires us to advocate for a future where no one else has to endure this devastating disease.

Helen said that if she could prevent just one person from inhaling asbestos fibres or make one person more aware of mesothelioma, she would be content. Her efforts have undoubtedly done far more than that, leaving an indelible mark on those who knew her and on the fight against mesothelioma.