WTC Health Program

Recently-released data from the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) reveals an exceptionally high rate of breast cancers in the 9/11 community compared with the general population. In women, the ratio can be as high as 87.04 to 1 compared to the general U.S. population, and in men the ratio is an astounding 92.30 to […]

November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Anyone who worked, lived, or studied in Lower Manhattan on or after 9/11 has a higher risk of many serious respiratory illnesses and 69 different types of cancer, including stomach cancer. Barasch & McGarry represents more than 200 members of the 9/11 community who have been diagnosed with stomach cancer. […]

Michael O’Connell joined the FDNY on May 5, 2001, as a Probationary Firefighter assigned to Engine 273 / Ladder 129 in Flushing. Only four months later, he deployed to Lower Manhattan on the morning of September 11, immediately after the terrorist attack on World Trade Center. For several weeks, he never went home, rotating between […]

Today, October 19, 2024, would have been the 59th birthday of NYPD Detective Luis G. Alvarez, a 9/11 hero whose testimony persuaded Congress to establish permanent compensation benefits for 9/11 community members with cancer or respiratory illness and their families.  Detective Alvarez, who appeared before Congress with comedian and 9/11 advocate Jon Stewart, died only […]

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Studies show that both women and men who were first responders or who were working, living, or studying in Lower Manhattan on or after 9/11 have a higher risk of developing 69 different types of cancer from exposure to Ground Zero toxins, including breast cancer. Barasch & McGarry represents more […]

September is Lymphoma Awareness Month. The half a million first responders and survivors who were working, living, and studying in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11 have a higher risk of developing respiratory illness and 69 different types of cancer from their exposure to Ground Zero toxins, including lymphoma. Barasch & McGarry represents more than 1,300 […]