Hundreds of 9-11 First Reponders Die of Cancer.... Have you heard about this??
This was a recent Top Story....
of Russia Today.
Why do you think our own "free" press stays mum on the subject?
Tragic.
Hundreds of 9/11 first responders die of cancer
24 August, 2009, 08:49
New York's emergency services were among the first on the scene of the 9/11 disaster but put their personal safety in jeopardy. Those involved in the rescue and clean-up operation quickly became national heroes.
But now 85 per cent of them are suffering from lung diseases which they say were caused by the huge clouds of dust. Those people are now calling on the state for medical support.
So far the US government has refused to help.
NYC firefighter hero
John McNamara is the most recent ground zero first responder to die from cancer. He battled to save lives that day but lost his own battle aged just 44 - a victim of his own bravery.
His courage was commemorated at St. Patrick's cathedral, where McNamara's funeral took place.
 Twin Towers hero (Photo by Mark M. Lawrence) |
Today his son Jack McNamara is still too young to understand his father's actions that day. All he knows is that dad was a firefighter.
"I and the other families of the victims are so devastated that so many of these valiant firefighters who struggled to find my son and to save others are now paying the price," says Sally Reigenhardt whose son died in the 9/11 attacks.
City, state and federal officials have not acknowledged a direct link between the cancer cases and ground zero toxins. Congress has yet to approve 9/11 health legislation calling for federal financial coverage of health costs for rescue workers.
John McNamara spent about 500 hours at ground zero aiding in rescue and recovery. Nearly eight years later, the scene here is all about rebuilding. But as the hole in the ground grows smaller the list of 9/11 related deaths is growing longer and longer.
"The government pays for these and I pay for these"
Retired police officer Mike Valentin has had four biopsies for a precancerous tumor in his throat and has to take 15 pills a day. He calls 9/11 America's Chernobyl.
"The people that will die from illnesses will surpass the number of people that were killed on 9/11. I am talking about thousands, tens of thousands of people that will come down with cancers," forecasts 9/11 first responder Valentin.
Valentin says he spent four months digging through debris at ground zero, after US officials announced the air was safe.
Valentin, the father of three, says he spends $15,000 a year on medication the government won't cover and that the US leaders have turned their backs on the heroes they promised never to forget.
"Our families are not looking to put Mercedes Benz on the front yard. We're not looking to take European trips," says Valentin, "We're looking to take care of our families when we die."
With the time he has left, Mike Valentin vows to continue fighting for the compensation he believes 9/11 first responders deserve.
Valentin founded a 9/11 police foundation to help retired first responders in need of medical assistance - among them Patrick Triola who spent months searching the ground zero and then became a victim of kidney cancer.
During those days, Stephen Grossman's son Robert was also aiding in rescue and recovery. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2006, at just 39 years old. Today, he remains in a coma.
Why wouldn't we hear about it? I have absolutely NO idea....It's like no one wants to talk about the aftermath of 9/11 in any way, shape or form. It's used it to invoke anger, fear and hostility, but as far as the reality of what happened and continues to happen AFTER that day is of little to no consequence. It isn't part of the myth.
Where do you hear from him?
Haven't seen him in a while.
Quoting margroc:Funny, the only person that I have heard of bringing this up is Michael Moore.
It was in the movie Sicko that came out last year (I believe)
Quoting diospira:
Where do you hear from him?
Haven't seen him in a while.
Quoting margroc:
Funny, the only person that I have heard of bringing this up is Michael Moore.
A society which emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate. - Pierre E. Trudeau
There are ways to remedy that, you are aware?
As for the topic, America needs to know about this stuff. We all should get off our tushes and help those who risked so much to help so many. I don't believe it's the government's job to fix this. It's ours, as citizens. I highly doubt this is any more of a conspiracy than Obama talking to kids about education is
Quoting momandvet:
Mostly, I am just ashamed to be an American these days.
Mark Twain
Yep. They had I think two fire fighters in that movie that they sent to Cuba to get free medication and treatment because their insurances didn't want to help them out or anyone else for that matter. It's really sad when people risk their lives for us and get nothing in return when they are in need.
Quoting margroc:It was in the movie Sicko that came out last year (I believe)
Quoting diospira:
Where do you hear from him?
Haven't seen him in a while.
Quoting margroc:
Funny, the only person that I have heard of bringing this up is Michael Moore.
Who would you save?
- diospira
on Sep. 6, 2009 at 11:11 AM