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Asbestos victim Jack Rekert warns employers about mesothelioma

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Audio: Jack Rekert, on
living with a death sentence

In 1985, he worked on a refurbishment
project which took three nights to complete.

His work involved tearing down ceiling sheets
and knocking down walls. Jack recalls there was dust
everywhere. He was very concerned and spoke to the builder in
charge, who reassured him it wasn't the asbestos dust he
feared.

However, in June 2007 Jack was diagnosed
with terminal cancer, 23 years after he was exposed.

Asbestos-related diseases can take anything
from 15 to 40 years to present themselves.

"It's like someone smacking you in the nose
and you're stunned and you just stand there and you think 'no, this
can't be right.' But unfortunately [the doctors] aren't
wrong."

Jack has been married to his wife Janet for 40
years. They have three children and four grandchildren who
adore him. Jack hasn't broken the news of his illness to his
grandchildren as he fears they are too young to understand
it.

Jack and Janet Rekert
Jack and Janet Rekert

Jack's just finished his second round of
chemotherapy.

"It's pretty horrendous really, but you've got
to keep going and look on the bright side. They might come
through with something that might cure it all but who knows."

Jack has this message for employers: "Respect
your men: yes, you've all got to make money but also you have got
to look after your men because they are making you money.

"If there is a substance there you don't know
about, query it, get the information. Protect your men."

Jack and his family know he only has a limited
amount of time left but he remains positive: "Every day is a bonus
and you just carry on."

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