Victims of 9/11 Still Dying

It's been ten years. Every single person can tell you down to the minute where they were and what they were doing the day of 9/11. I've written about it before. On that day hundreds of New York's finest thought they were saving people. And they did. For months afterward they thought they were sifting through ruble and dust to find the victims and give some families closure. And hopefully they did. What they didn't know was that they were becoming victims as they worked tirelessly in clouds of toxic gas, asbestos, mercury and benzene. All known carcinogens.

Its been ten years and people are still dying because of 9/11.They are suffering from respiratory illnesses, PTSD, depression and cancers. There is a 70% illness rate amongst 9/11 first responders. They have a 19% higher chance of developing cancer, then their colleagues who didn't work the WTC site. The number of NYPD officers that have died of cancer has more then doubled the number of officers who died at the buildings. These numbers are too big and too scary to ignore.  In December of 2010 our politicians held up a bill that would provide health care for them. The Zadroga Bill is named after a responder who died of a respiratory illness attributed to 9/11. 

They finally did pass the bill, with concessions of course. First of all to qualify for health care they have to first have be screened to make sure they aren't terrorists. Are you fucking kidding me? If that isn't enough of a slap in the face,  it doesn't even cover cancer. Oh but wait it does cover carpel tunnel. Gee thanks.

I can't understand why we would laud them as heroes, make movies about them, use them in political campaigns but just abandon them when they need the help. They all rushed without thought towards two collapsing buildings and stayed at extreme risk to themselves. But we're just going to let them flounder and die in thanks.

It makes me simultaneously furious and tearful. This sight explains a few ways that we can help and you can go here to contact your representative and demand they do something about it. Very few people are listening to the first responders. And soon they may run out of the breath and life to fight anymore. So speak for them and make people listen to you. Please.

How are you still being affected by 9/11 ten years late