I debated whether or not I wanted to post today, because we try so hard each year to make it a “normal” day. But I still can’t let it go by unrecognized. I wrote the piece below last year. But the statistics have a grim update:
- The number of first responders (and others who were in the WTC area) diagnosed with cancer has climbed to almost 10,000
- In 2017, 23 current or former members of the NYPD died of 9/11-related diseases. That’s the same number of NYPD members who died on September 11, 2001
- According to foundation that supports 9/11 rescue and recovery workers, there have been more losses so far in 2018 (163) than in any year since they started tabulating in 2008
- By the end of 2018, it is expected that those who died from toxic exposure will surpass the number killed on the actual day. NOTE: just last year, they didn’t expect this to happen until 2020.
FROM 2017: Please take a couple of minutes to read this. I know everyone has a lot going on…
I’m currently watching CSPAN2 coverage of the ceremonies at Ground Zero. Always a gut punch (RIP Steve and Mike).
But I wanted to let people know some other statistics, according to the WTC Health Program. It started tracking data in 2011, so anything that occurred in the first 10 years after the attacks is not included in these numbers.
-over 1300 deaths have been attributed to 9/11 related illnesses
-92% of those were first responders
-there are nearly 77,000 survivors and responders who are enrolled
-roughly half of those enrolled have at least one certified illness attributed to 9/11
-about 6,600 have some kind of cancer, and almost 7,400 have respiratory disorders.
-it is expected that by 2020, only 3 years from now, the number of people who will have died from illnesses that can be directly attributed to 9/11 will surpass the actual number who died in the immediate attacks.
This is the reality we face. This is what we live every day. The shock of yet another friend’s diagnosis; strain of seeing friends deteriorate; another racket to attend; another name added to the list.
The worry at every cough.
And we won’t even go into the ghosts and memories that continue to haunt.
For some, “neverforget” is a hashtag that comes up once a year. And that’s very important, especially in today’s world of the divisiveness and polarization. But for many, we never forget because we just can’t. It’s always in front of us, facing us, challenging us. And we continue to fight.
If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading.
#September11 #WTC #NYPD
#NewYorksFinest
#NeverForget
#WeRemember
