Theresa Garcia, a 53-year-old mother of six from Chicago, Illinois, tragically lost her life in July 2020 after being diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer typically found in miners and construction workers.
The family was shocked to discover the cause of her illness, as Ms Garcia had spent her life working in office environments and raising her children at home. However, after seeing news reports linking Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder to tumour formation, the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. Ms Garcia had used the powder consistently throughout her life, from childhood right up to her diagnosis. She also used it on her children, leaving them with the distressing uncertainty of whether they might also face health consequences as a result.
Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs and is caused by repeated exposure to asbestos, a highly toxic mineral that was commonly used in building materials until its banning in 1989. While there are only around 2,000 cases reported annually, Ms Garcia's family believed the long-term use of talcum powder, often contaminated with asbestos, was the likely cause of her illness.
Stephanie Salcedo, Ms Garcia's daughter, described her mother as a dedicated family woman who always put others before herself. "Everything she did was for someone else," Stephanie told DailyMail.com. "She was always there for her family, whether it was playing volleyball, hosting cookouts, or making personalised t-shirts for us. She was always volunteering to help with school projects, even making trick-or-treat bags for the grandkids and cousins during Halloween."
The family first noticed a problem when Ms Garcia began experiencing a persistent cough that didn't sound right. The cough worsened over time, culminating in a severe coughing fit that left her struggling to breathe while driving home from work. This prompted her to seek emergency medical attention.
In January 2020, Ms Garcia was diagnosed with advanced pleural mesothelioma, a devastating diagnosis with a grim prognosis. Penn Medicine reports that patients with this type of cancer typically only survive for four to 18 months, with only 12% surviving for five years.
Ms Garcia, engaged at the time and planning her dream wedding that year, fought the cancer bravely but was ultimately unsuccessful. She passed away seven months after her diagnosis.
The Garcia family launched a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, accusing the company of causing their mother's illness. They ultimately won the case, with the court awarding them $45 million. However, the family never received the payout as Ms Garcia died before the verdict was reached.
Johnson & Johnson fiercely contested the case, attempting to discredit the family's claim by searching for alternative explanations for Ms Garcia's asbestos exposure. They even went so far as to suggest that the family had been buying a fake version of their product. Despite these efforts, the jury ultimately sided with the family, though the company still has the option to appeal the ruling.
The Garcia family now faces the worrying possibility that they too could develop pleural mesothelioma due to their exposure to the contaminated talcum powder. Stephanie shared her concerns, stating, "It's a concern always at the back of our heads, and it was something that was a concern for my mom when she first started her trial. But as of right now, we're all healthy thankfully â and hopefully, it stays that way."
The tragic case of Theresa Garcia highlights the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure, even from seemingly innocuous products like talcum powder. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact that contaminated products can have on individuals and families, often with devastating consequences. It also underscores the importance of holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products.
The pending $6.5 billion settlement offered by Johnson & Johnson to settle thousands of lawsuits alleging cancer and other ailments caused by their talcum powder, could potentially bring some closure for families like the Garcias. However, the ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of holding large corporations accountable and the far-reaching consequences of their actions.
