Mold sufferer turned activist returns from D.C.

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Article Last Updated: Friday, October 01, 2004 - 7:11:38 AM EST

Mold sufferer turned activist returns from D.C., auction pending

By Don sson

PEPPERELL -- Former ee Road resident arrived back in

Pepperell from Washington, D.C. Sunday, tired from a week-long

lobbying campaign for mold protection legislation and in possession

of a new title, that of executive director of Mold Relief Inc. (

www.moldrelief.org

The pint-size 46-year-old mold sufferer's status changed from local

vigilante to nationally-recognized advocate last month when she

accepted the directorship of the non-profit organization, which she

is running from her Herget Drive apartment.

Meanwhile, ' former home, the mold-infested 20 A and B ee

Road, was still standing open and unsecured Sunday night despite

promises made by the mortgage holder the Friday before that it would

be locked up within 24 hours, said Monday. The next in a series

of aborted attempts to auction the property is scheduled for Oct. 8.

said that " nothing has been signed " regarding an on-again, off-

again series of reports that her unpaid mortgage would be charged off

by Seattle-based Washington Mutual Bank.

Bank representatives have said they cannot speak about their

relationship with and the Federal Home Mortgage Association

because has not signed permission papers. has said she

hasn't seen any papers.

" I'm thinking of going to the Community Center to seek volunteers to

wrap presents for kids across the country, " said Monday

afternoon.

The presents are coming to her apartment through the Children's Angel

Fund that she helped co-found. An account has been opened at the Bank

of America to receive donations to help replace infected toys lost to

children of families who, like , have been forced to leave their

homes and possessions because of mold infestation.

' husband's employer, Eastern Reproduction of Waltham, has

designed 24-karat gold ornaments that are given to persons and

organizations who donate. The ornaments were hung on a Giving Tree

that and co-workers put up in Washington, D.C.

One recipient met is Bianca Jagger, former wife of Rolling

Stones lead singer Mick Jagger, who said has suffered the same

breathing, watery eye and other health issues before being forced to

abandon her Park Avenue apartment because of mold infestation. Jagger

and her mother, like other sufferers, have been living in hotels and

with friends.

" I'm sending letters to Wal-Mart, K-Mart and others to give gift

cards for kids, " said. " We hope to make it the Red Cross of

mold relief. "

Once she found her way through the " massive " Dulles International

Airport, said she and co-workers from across the

country " literally took over [Michigan Congressman ] Conyers'

office with paperwork and boxes.

" Four hundred and thirty five offices received 75-page packets of

information put together by the Maper Coalition, Mold Relief, and

other toxic mold victims who joined us, " she said.

" It took three hours to disseminate because of security issues, bomb-

sniffing dogs, anthrax checks, X-rays, etcetera, but once you get

inside [Congress] you can walk into your congressman's office and say

you want to address something, " said. " The system works. "

said she spoke to most congressional offices, mostly through

legislative aides. She was also interviewed by Boston Channel 56

affiliate WB-56, which aired locally last Sunday night.

" Lobbying is very cool stuff, " said. " I believe we have half of

Massachusetts congressmen signed on [in support of Conyer's House

Bill 1268 U.S. Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act] and I personally

visited all of them.

" After I left, they had a lengthy discussion with [sen. ]

Kennedy's office, " she said.

" I also met Jo-Ellen Lawson who is head of the Connecticut Foundation

for Environmentally Safe Schools. She gave a great speech about how

more than 44 percent of the nation's schools are affected with indoor

air quality and mold issues, " said. " We listened to doctors,

victims, Conyers, his aide, Bianca, etcetera. "

spoke at a reception later, received a statement of recognition

offered by state Senate Majority Leader, n Walsh (D-Norwood),

and a citation from activist Mulvey son of Boston.

Monday, was busy working to help a Quincy family that has been

homeless and living with friends for six months because of mold

infestation.