Grandmother’s devastation at industrial disease diagnosis

Renee Kimberley was last year diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive lung cancer caused by historic exposure to asbestos. The 76-year-old said she was “speechless, completely floored” to be told she had such a disease, which is most commonly associated with industrial environments and for which there is no cure.

While Renee had hoped to enjoy her retirement with husband Raymond, she now struggles with breathlessness and a cough, and is reliant on Raymond for increasing numbers of tasks. Renee had hoped to holiday with her daughter, two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren this summer, but that is now dependent on her health.

Having worked from the age of 15 in primarily retail and office environments, Renee says she initially had no idea where she could have contracted mesothelioma – but her time with British Mail Order Corporation Limited in Burnley, also known as Great Universal Stores (GUS), is an avenue currently being explored, due to building work happening while she worked there.

Renee initially worked at its base in Chaddersley House, opposite Burnley Town Hall, but later moved into its new Kingsway House offices, on the town’s Kingsway, while construction work was still being completed. Building work began in 1969 and Renee, a correspondence clerk, moved in the following year.

“My diagnosis was such a shock. I hadn’t even heard of mesothelioma, and when I found out it’s something you contract from asbestos exposure, I was completely floored. I just couldn’t make sense of it, I still can’t,” says Renee, who now lives in Skipton, and was known as Renee Simpson before her marriage to Raymond in 1971.

“I have never known anything about asbestos, and it’s really hard to think back now and realise you have been exposed when all you did was go to work. I really would appreciate any help in finding the answers around what happened, and would appeal to any former colleagues at GUS in particular to help me understand this. It’s still a complete shock.”

Renee found out she had mesothelioma in July last year, after visiting her GP because of a constant cough. A chest X-ray and CT scan at Airedale Hospital revealed fluid on her lung – and a diagnosis of a terminal disease.

“I have good days and bad, some days I feel I can deal with it, then others I’ll be in bits and on the floor. It is so hard to come to terms with, and I have lost so much confidence in myself and my ability to go places and do things on my own,” says Renee.

“The hospital have been wonderful and are really helping me through my immunotherapy, and my family have been brilliant too. I just really want to know how I have this disease – especially as I don’t know how long I have left. If there was anyone who could help, I would be so grateful.”

Renee is being supported by specialist industrial disease lawyers at Slater and Gordon, with senior associate Christopher Briggs acting on her behalf in finding answers.

“Having worked from the age of 15, Renee was looking forward to a happy retirement – but this devastating diagnosis has ruined the plans she had with her family for the years ahead. This has been utterly shocking for Renee, given the nature of her career and the fact she never knowingly worked in an environment where asbestos was present,” he says.

“We will do all we can to find the answers she needs around where she contracted mesothelioma, and if anyone has any information they feel may be relevant, we’d be really grateful if they could get in touch. This would mean a great deal to Renee and her family, who are still struggling to come to terms with all that has happened.”

Anyone who may have information to support Renee can contact Christopher Briggs on christopher.briggs@slatergordon.uk or 0330 995 5368.