WTC Health Program

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 […]

Although 23 years have passed since the 9/11 attacks, there are still misconceptions about the benefits available to the 9/11 community. Here are the three most common myths about 9/11 benefits and what you need to know: Myth #1: The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and World Trade Center Health Program are only for first […]

On the 23rd year of remembering the horrific September 11, 2001 attacks, we acknowledge the sacrifices made by first responders as well as civilians who returned to their downtown offices, apartments, and schools after the attack. We remember not only those who died that day, but also the tens of thousands of people who have […]