Richard Mosca was diagnosed with rare cancer, mesothelioma, at the early age of 54. Characterized by a short life expectancy following diagnosis, mesothelioma has no known cures. In the face of these realities Mosca did not intend to focus just on himself and his family—he decided to help others facing the same struggle.
Mosca began advocating for other mesothelioma victims and families as a reviewer for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. This foundation is made possible through Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) through the Department of Defense. With a vision to “find and fund the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of the American public,” the group focuses on benefiting current and past military personal and their families. Reviewers consider and evaluate potential research projects.
Mesothelioma has a long history in the armed forces, particularly the Navy. Almost solely caused by the toxic chemical asbestos, Navy personnel account for about one third of all American mesothelioma victims.
A rare cancer, mesothelioma affects about three thousand Americans and a rising fifteen to twenty thousand worldwide each year. There are mesothelioma treatments available, which include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and palliative treatment. Mesothelioma is known to have a long latency period; it can take decades for symptoms to demonstrate and they can be easily misdiagnosed as pneumonia or other curable respiratory illnesses.
Asbestos has been used in multiple manufacturing and building industries through history including shipbuilding and munitions. As a fire deterrent and strengthening additive, asbestos was particularly common in the armed forces between the 1940s and 1970s, being used to pack valves, make gaskets, pumps and other components common to engines and boiler rooms on ships.
In 2010 the Department of Defense awarded several million dollars in grants to aid in the fight against mesothelioma and diseases common to military personnel. Funds will be uses to research early detection agents, develop new treatments and aid in clinical trials associated with the research.
Along with his associates on the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, Mosca focuses on benefiting health and quality of life for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Reviewers in the program include patients, survivors, injured or family members of those affected by military related illness and disease.
In response to his time on the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, Mosca said “many brilliant people out there wanting to help the mesothelioma community – compassionate and understanding medical professionals dedicated to treating and curing mesothelioma.”


The Navy didn’t warn him properly about asbestos expsosure. He worked in the naval shipyards and one day, on his way home, he was given a pamphlet and told to read it. While he was at work he had to wear a mask all the time, and a suit which he threw out at the end of day, at work. But he would still come home covered in dust. His hair was black and he would come home with white dust in his hair. He was very cautious about what he did at home. And my mother and grandmother were around him all that time.”
