9/11 Victim Blog

  You are a cleaner in a downtown Manhattan office building on 9/11.  In 2018, you were just diagnosed with 9/11 breast cancer.  Your exact diagnosis is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), the most common type of breast cancer.  Almost 80% of all breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas. You are only  51 and your family has no history of cancer. You are very scared for you and your family.  After discussion with your oncologist and surgeon, you choose to have a lumpectomy surgery followed by radiation. Thankfully, surgery and radiation goes well and you are cleared to return to work. … READ ARTICLE

The recent passing of a veteran NYPD cop who rushed to the World Trade Center on September 11th is yet another unwelcome reminder that cancers and other illnesses related to that terrible day continue to take the lives of first responders, recovery workers, and others. Officer Richard Lopez, 52, passed away due to cancer he contracted during his duty assignment at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks. A 20-year NYPD veteran and former Marine, Lopez worked at the World Trade Center site for months after 9/11 engaged in search, rescue, and recovery operations. He left behind a wife and daughter…. READ ARTICLE

  9/11 Lung Cancer screening is available through the World Trade Center Health Program for first responders, lower Manhattan residents and lower Manhattan workers.  This also includes screening for the numerous kinds of cancers that researchers have linked to exposure to the toxic cloud of dust and debris that lingered over and around Ground Zero after the attacks. The WTCHP covers diagnostic services, including blood work, imaging studies, biopsies, and specialty consults that a WTCHP doctor needs to determine if you have a cancer that is covered by the program. 9/11 Lung cancer is one of those cancers. Early diagnosis… READ ARTICLE

Joe Battista was an FDNY firefighter who worked for months at Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks, and then spent time sifting through debris at the Fresh Kills landfill looking for human remains. This soul-crushing work eventually took its toll. Battista was certified by the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) as having 9/11-related lung problems and acid reflux disease. But he also was certified by the WTCHP and numerous doctors as having severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia related to his post-9/11 work. He spent time in and out of mental hospitals, became estranged from his wife… READ ARTICLE

9/11 Prostate cancer caused by the toxic 9/11 dust has been diagnosed in almost 2,000 downtown workers, residents, students, and first responders. This year, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) certified that 1,995 cases of prostate cancer were caused by the dust and other fallout from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. That’s a shocking, sad and disturbing number of almost epidemic proportions. In addition, our office is seeing more and more young clients between the ages of 45 – 60 being diagnosed with 9/11 prostate cancer.  One of the most important things Turley, Hansen does when we are retained by… READ ARTICLE

Despite scathing bipartisan criticism and serious concerns expressed by lawmakers, celebrities and 9/11 first responders, the Trump Administration has refused to modify its plans to change how the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) is managed and funded. These plans threaten a well-run and effective program which has provided and continues to provide vital, cost-free screening and treatment for over 83,000 first responders, recovery workers, and other survivors afflicted with cancer and scores of other 9/11-related health conditions. Earlier this year, as part of the administration’ proposed budget, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney announced a plan… READ ARTICLE