Actor Steve McQueen, Beloved Husband of Barbara McQueen, Honored Posthumously with the Warren Zevon “Keep Me in Your Heart” Memorial Tribute Award

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) today announced that it is honoring Steve McQueen with the Warren Zevon “Keep Me in Your Heart” Memorial Tribute Award. McQueen, a global cinema legend in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away in 1980 from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. The Warren Zevon Tribute will be presented at noon on March 31, 2012, at ADAO’s 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

“Steve McQueen is an American legend and we are extremely honored to recognize him in Warren Zevon’s name”

“I am so touched to accept the ‘Keep Me in Your Heart’ Memorial Tribute Award on my late husband’s behalf,” said Steve’s widow, Barbara McQueen, “Steve’s death was a long and painful ordeal and my heart goes out to those who have been exposed to asbestos as well as their loved ones. We’re all in the same family and I commend ADAO for the great work they do on behalf of asbestos awareness.”

The life and career of Steve McQueen is a classic example of the American dream made real: a small town boy from a broken home triumphing over adversity to become one of the richest and most sought-after superstars in the world. McQueen lived every day as if it were his last and, by doing so, he lived an extraordinary life, both on screen and off. However, his life was cut short when he died of mesothelioma at age 50.

“I am extremely honored to pay tribute to Steve McQueen,” said Jordan Zevon, ADAO spokesperson, who lost his father – Warren Zevon – to mesothelioma in 2003. “Mesothelioma is a tragic disease more common than most people know, and it is important to recognize Steve’s spirit and later plight in order to both cherish his memory and increase asbestos awareness. In their respective fields they were the definition of charm, intelligence, wit and the ultimate tough guy. However, as strong as they were, they are both lost to asbestos- related cancer. I am proud to present Barbara McQueen with the “Keep Me in Your Heart” Memorial Tribute Award. I am grateful to her for adding both Steve's and her name to our ADAO family as we continue to work to end the threat of the disease for future generations.”

“Steve McQueen is an American legend and we are extremely honored to recognize him in Warren Zevon’s name,” stated ADAO CEO and Co-Founder, Linda Reinstein. “Not only did Steve McQueen, like Warren Zevon, lose his battle against mesothelioma, but they both share a passion for fearlessly taking a stance. McQueen was quoted as saying, ‘When I believe in something, I fight like hell for it,’ and ADAO is proud to honor his courage by adding this cause to his many affects.”

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which combines education, advocacy, and community initiatives as a leading asbestos victims’ voice worldwide, announced its honorees and keynote speaker for the 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference, “Asbestos: An International Public Health Crisis,” to be held March 30–April 1, 2012, in Los Angeles, CA. The conference brings together renowned experts and asbestos victims in a united forum to enhance asbestos awareness, education, treatment, and collaboration. The conference is made possible with the partnership of the Environmental Information Association (EIA) and Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP).

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and community. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

About Barbara McQueen

Barbara Minty McQueen is the widow of American film star Steve McQueen and is a former model and photographer. She is also the author of Steve McQueen: The Last Mile (Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2007), which documents their three-and-a-half year relationship and includes candid shots from 1977 to 1980. McQueen has hosted several art exhibits of her work with shows in London, Tokyo, San Francisco, Nashville, Phoenix and Idaho, where she resides.