Editorial: Are We Abandoning Our Heroes?

 

Over 40,000 heroes labored at Ground Zero seven years ago, working 10 to 12 hours a day looking for bodies, extinguishing smoldering fires, and clearing tons of rubble. This month, seven years later, at least 12,000 of these heroic individuals are sick-- coughing, wheezing, suffering from asthma, acid reflux, traumatic stress syndrome, and in many cases, cancer.

The record shows at least 12,000 suffering from 9/11 related health problems; however, the number is probably greater, considering the number of off-the-record workers who showed up on that fateful day and in the weeks thereafter. We know of a number of Long Island, upstate New York, and New Jersey firefighters and EMS workers who spontaneously responded to the scene without registering at any command center. There were also students from nearby colleges and universities who rushed to aid the stricken city. We personally know of an Episcopalian priest from Putnam County who spent several weeks working at Ground Zero, administrating last rites and comforting the survivors. These unsung, unrecorded heroes are also beginning to show signs of illness.

Doctors are finding out that many of the heroes who worked at Ground Zero are suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that scars the tissues of the lungs; shortness of breath; chronic sinusitis; and sleep apnea. Others suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome and nightmares.

Two years ago, the NYPD established a web site and a registry for officers suffering the effects of working on “The Pile.” The FDNY has already established such a registry. However, we feel a lot more should be done.

First, we need to take the full measure of this growing epidemic affecting sick heroes, official and unofficial. Next, we need to come up with treatment programs so that all who responded on 9/11 have the quality of care already afforded New York firefighters. Moreover, we need to establish monitoring systems that can detect the emergence of new diseases, and a clearinghouse that would inform workers and physicians about illnesses and proper treatments.
We remember talking to an oncologist who was surprised to hear that our 43-year-old son, a NYPD officer who worked at Ground Zero on 9/11, had suffered from prostate cancer, among other ailments. Moreover, the doctor wasn’t aware of the number of other cancer patients associated with Ground Zero.

We need to admit that work on The Pile (and the Staten Island landfill) after 9/11 did, in fact, result in illness and fatalities, even though city officials keep insisting that there is no scientific proof that anyone has died from illnesses contracted at Ground Zero.

We need to urge the federal government to support long-term monitoring and treatment of 9/11 and post-9/11 illnesses. More importantly, we need to review disability and pension benefits afforded to Ground Zero responders, including firefighters, EMS workers, police officers, and civilians who answered an internal call to serve their fellow man.

When it comes to our heroes, we need to do the right thing.