Their Memories Live On Today On 9/11

Seventeen years ago today, our country was terrorized in ways we could have never imagined. Thousands of innocent lives were lost on September 11, 2001 as the world watched in horror.

Today more than ever, we stand together to remember and honor not only the innocent lives lost on that day, but the fallen responders and survivors who have passed away as a result of their heroic efforts to help our nation recover. We renew our commitment to support the loved ones and families they left behind, and to live each day with them in our hearts.

For the 9/11 community, the tragedy didn’t end on 9/11. Far from it! Every day since, thousands more lives have been lost due to diseases caused by the WTC toxins. Responders, residents, office workers, teachers and students were exposed to poisoned air because the EPA falsely assured us that “the air is safe”.

Today, tens of thousands of people in the 9/11 community, whether near or far, are still paying the consequences of believing the EPA’s false pronouncements with their health. Ten years after 9/11, the Government did the right thing by creating the WTC Health Program, which offers free health care, and the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), which awards compensation to those certified with WTC physical illnesses. While the Health Program has been extended for another 70 years, the VCF is unjustly scheduled to close at the end of 2020. This would be a blatant miscarriage of justice. Cancers — especially the aggressive and rare cancers that afflict the 9/11 community — have no deadline. Not a day goes by without one of our clients passing from their WTC illnesses. It is truly heart breaking. As advocates for the 9/11 community, we promise to continue fighting for the extension of the VCF.

We ask you to help us spread the word about the importance of enrolling in both the WTC Health Program and the VCF. All too often, we speak to people who have missed the deadline to register a claim. Please continue to help us shine a light on this health crisis by sharing emails like this and informing your friends and family.

With sincere respect and warm regards,
The attorneys and staff at Barasch & McGarry