Jon Gold
6/14/2012

First, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Finally. Finally, the 9/11 First Responders that are sick and dying as a result of working down at the pile, have healthcare to take care of them. Healthcare that now includes cancer. It doesn't cover all cancers, so there might still be a fight, but it is certainly better than it was. It has been a long fight. I know. I have been there since almost the very beginning.

I, like many others, have done my best to be supportive of the 9/11 First Responders. To try and bring attention to their issue. I started an archive the day James Zadroga died that has been maintained for years. In January 2007, I held my very first fund-raiser for 9/11 First Responders. I managed to raise $3,290.00 that time. When Mike Bloomberg said that James Zadroga wasn't a hero, people like me were there to get Mike Bloomberg to apologize. Every time the FealGood Foundation went to Washington D.C., I did my best to promote their trips, and the resulting videos.

As I said, it has been a long fight. A hard fight. Because it is difficult to get politicians to do the right thing, sometimes concessions have to be made. Long ago, several 9/11 First Responders were very supportive of the "9/11 Truth Movement." Because of antics in the "9/11 Truth Movement," many 9/11 First Responders started to disassociate from the movement, and understandably so. However, another reason that 9/11 First Responders started to shy away from people in the "9/11 Truth Movement" was because being associated with that group, a group that has been relentlessly slandered and ridiculed by the "mainstream media," meant that it was harder to get politicians to do the right thing. In other words, if the 9/11 First Responders wanted the politicians to play ball, they also had to play the game.

Source: northjersey.com

By MIKE KELLY
Tuesday, January 5, 2010

NEW YORK – They huddled in the winter shadows and the frigid air, this group of wounded veterans of Ground Zero, some of them leaning on canes or walkers, some breathing from oxygen tanks.

The father of James Zadroga is hugged by Bill Maher, of Maywood. Then, they read the list of names of the dead — all of them rescue workers and other volunteers who rushed, like them, into that smoldering place of terror on that sunny September morning eight years ago and breathed in too many toxins.

So far, that death list has 103 names but it will probably grow in the years to come.

There was Felix Hernandez. And Sandra Adrian. And Robert Grossman. And, finally, James Zadroga, the North Arlington kid who became a New York City police detective and then volunteered more than 400 hours at the Ground Zero clean up.

Four years ago yesterday, Zadroga took his last breath, his lungs blackened and clogged with Ground Zero’s dust and junk. He was only 34.

It is long past due.  

This was posted by 9/11 First Responder Charlie Giles on Facebook. - Jon

For Planning Purposes: Event January 5th

Contact: John Feal, (631) 724-3320 / Charles J. Giles (609) 271- 4936

Tuesday: 9/11 Responders, Elected Officials to Read Names of Those Who Died From 9/11 Illnesses

January 5th is Fourth Anniversary of Death of NYPD Det. James Zadroga

*Responders to Demand Passage of 9/11 Health Bill*

New York , NY – On Tuesday, 9/11 first responders and elected officials will gather near Ground Zero to read the names of more than one hundred 9/11 responders and others who have died of illnesses caused by the attacks. Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of the death of NYPD Detective James Zadroga, the first 9/11 responder whose death was officially linked to his work at Ground Zero.

I just received this from 9/11 First Responder Charlie Giles...

"It has come to our attention that the reason that HR847 is being held up is due to Congressman Frank Pallone. He has not marked up the Bill in the House Energy & Commerce Committee. He promised it would be done by Nov. and still no response. 9/11 Responders are sick, tired & dying. We are now Demanding that this Bill get Marked Up & Passed. We the 9/11 Community need your help! Please call Congressman Frank Pallone's Office in New Jersey at 732-249-8892 and also his Washington DC office at 202-225-4671. Tell them you are Demanding that Frank Pallone keep his Promise & Mark Up the Bill Now! We are no longer asking, we are demanding! Please Call both offices & flood his phone lines till he does what is right for those who served when Our Country needed us! Thank You!"

Please call... Please call... Please call...

Thank you.

I don't know what the story is regarding what happened over the weekend with Flight 253. I would like to know who the person described here is. - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Michael Mcauliff
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Sunday, December 27th 2009, 4:00 AM

They didn't find that out until early Christmas morning 2009, eight years later, when the firefighter's lungs finally overfilled with fluids, the side-effects of pancreatic cancer inflicted on him by the toxic dust he swallowed in hundreds of hours at Ground Zero.

Ryan answered the call of duty on 9/11, then went beyond, returning to the blasted ground for months. First, he hunted survivors, then victims, then just fragments of people - his FDNY brothers among them - whose lives and bodies were shattered that day.

I hooked up John and Marina, so this is very cool. - Jon

At their annual Christmas party, The Fealgood Foundation appealed to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to pass HR847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health Act, and to President Barack Obama to sign it.

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Michael Mcauliff
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Angry Sept. 11 responders say President Obama has offered sympathy but no support for their appeal to champion their cause in Congress.

A group of 9/11 widows and rescue workers recently wrote Obama, asking his help to pass a bill that would fund care for ailing responders over the next 30 years.

Obama wrote back Tuesday, the Daily News has learned, saying he understands their plight and values their heroism.

"The individuals suffering health ailments from Sept. 11 and its aftermath deserve proper medical attention," the President wrote. "You served selflessly, and your concerns are of great importance to our country. I remain committed to supporting the heroes of Sept. 11."

But he left out whether he'd get behind the bill.

"It's a nice letter, and I will put it in my scrapbook," said former construction worker John Feal, who lost half a foot at Ground Zero. "But it's no more than a souvenir unless he supports that bill."

If you are in the D.C. area, and can join them, please do. - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Michael Mcauliff
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Monday, November 16th 2009, 4:00 AM

WASHINGTON - First responders and Ground Zero workers are pleased Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is headed to New York to face justice - but they hope to win a different kind of justice of their own.

"Eight years later they finally bring the terrorists to New York and eight years later we're still waiting for help" treating 9/11-related illnesses, said John Feal.

"It doesn't equate," added Feal, who heads the FealGood Foundation, devoted to raising awareness about the health crisis. He will join busloads of survivors and victims for a rally Wednesday in Washington.

They're demanding Congress act on legislation named after James Zadroga, an NYPD officer who died from his exposure to Ground Zero.

Written Statement of James Zadroga from 9/11 Commission Files
Click Here

Thanks to Kevin Fenton for pointing this out to me. Thanks to Erik Larsen for finding it.

A Little History On James Zadroga

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Stephanie Gaskell
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, October 12th 2009, 4:44 AM

A firefighter and two cops who worked at Ground Zero in the days and weeks after Sept. 11 have died of cancer in the past five days, the Daily News has learned.

Family members and advocates are blaming their deaths on toxins released into the air after the twin towers collapsed - and they're urging Congress to act on a bill that would help pay for their medical care.

"Everybody is denying that this stuff is connected to 9/11, but it is," said Stephen Grossman, whose son Robert died of cancer on Friday at the age of 44.

Robert Grossman was a police officer in Harlem who worked at Ground Zero for several weeks after Sept. 11.

"He never once said he was sorry he went down there," Grossman said. "None of them walked away even though they all knew it was really dangerous."

The day after Grossman passed away, Firefighter Richard Mannetta, 44, died of cancer. And last Wednesday, 37-year-old Police Officer Cory Diaz died of cancer.

Souce: nydailynews.com

BY MICHAEL MCAULIFF
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Friday, September 11th 2009, 3:15 PM

WASHINGTON - A group of Sept. 11 responders finally got an answer from the White House to their plea for help: a thank you card.

A year ago, members of the Fealgood Foundation delivered that plea to the future President and other lawmakers in a DVD telling the tale of four ailing heroes.

One of the four, Greg Quibell, had just died of 9/11-linked leukemia. Another, former FDNY firefighter John McNamara, died of cancer last month.

They wanted to show Congress why it must pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, an $8.4 billion bill to help ailing Sept. 11 workers.

But the act has languished. What the responders have gotten are thank you's, not just from the White House, but from members of Congress who also got copies of "Save the Brave."

Source: nydailynews.com

Juan Gonzalez - News
Wednesday, September 9th 2009, 4:00 AM

"I knew right away they'd need ironworkers to cut through those collapsed beams," he recalled.

Picurro joined thousands of hardhats who showed up at Ground Zero that first night. They helped retrieve bodies, battle flames and clear debris.

Along with the cops, firefighters and other emergency responders, they were lauded as heroes then. Their selfless actions gave us solace and hope amid all that grief.

They did not know then about the toxic soup of chemicals in the dust and in the air. Federal and city health officials downplayed any danger at the time. They even dared tell the public the air was safe to breathe.

Now, Joe Picurro, 42, is dying. His family is destitute and his faith in our country's leaders has been shattered.

The list of ailments ravaging his body is stunning.

Considering he said he would, it's the least he could do. - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Michael Mcauliff
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
9/3/2009

WASHINGTON - Widows and survivors of 9/11 are demanding President Obama stand with sick responders - and champion a stalled congressional measure to help them.

Named after NYPD Detective James Zadroga, who died from inhaling toxins, the bill would pay for the treatment of Ground Zero responders and workers sickened by their post-Sept. 11 service.

But it's been stuck in Congress over fears about its cost.

After eight years, the people who responded to the worst terror attacks on American soil are getting tired of waiting while more of them die, and have written Obama demanding he act.

"Their deaths have left a void in our families and have left us wondering why our country, and you, Mr. President, have not done more to help the heroes of 9/11," the letter says.

My condolences to the McNamara family. SUPPORT H.R. 847!!! - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Jonathan Lemire
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
8/10/2009

An FDNY veteran who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero and pushed for better health benefits for first responders died Sunday after a battle with cancer.

John McNamara, 44, spent 10 years with the FDNY and was diagnosed with colon cancer in the aftermath of his time at Ground Zero.

McNamara spent about 500 hours looking for his fallen brethren at the site where the World Trade Center once stood, and his plight was part of a documentary called "Save the Brave," which chronicled the lives of ailing rescue workers.

McNamara, who was assigned to Ladder 123 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, also joined the FDNY's rescue mission to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

He became ill in June 2006 and the cancer spread to his liver and stomach.

Though gravely ill, he spent his remaining years fighting for better testing and health benefits for firefighters who worked at Ground Zero.

Source: www.nydailynews.com

July 28, 2009

WASHINGTON — First responders from 9/11 can accept if Republicans don’t vote for a bill to help ailing Ground Zero workers, but they say rudeness is another matter.

Several victims of the terror attacks who have become advocates on behalf of other ill responders say they were treated poorly when they called some Capitol Hill Republicans in hopes of getting them to back a measure coming up for a committee vote Wednesday.

“One office said, ‘Why do you people keep calling us? Leave us alone,’” said Charlie Giles, 41, from Barnegat, N.J. “‘You people?’ That is a disgrace from a congressman’s office.”

Giles, a Republican, said his rounds of calls — and GOP opposition to a bill to reopen the Sept. 11 Victims’ Compensation Fund — left him so angry he’s ready to denounce his party when he and other responders take a bus to the Capitol Wednesday.

“I’ll bring my Republican card, and show it to them,” he said. “If I have to tear it into a million pieces in front of them, I will.”

Source: downtownexpress.com

By Julie Shapiro
7/10/2009

The city’s new description of how 9/11 affected children downplays the serious health risks those children could face, one doctor says.

Dr. David Carpenter initially worked with the city to draft the document, which is designed to help pediatricians treat children who were exposed to toxins released with the destruction of the World Trade Center. But Carpenter said the city rejected many of his suggestions, and before the city released the health guidelines last week, Carpenter removed his name from the list of authors.

“The guidelines were continually watered down,” said Carpenter, the director of the University at Albany’s Institute for Health and the Environment. “They were minimizing and trivializing things we felt were extremely important.”

Thanks to Mike and Marta Reis for putting this together. Everyone was extremely talented.

Considering it was the Government that lied about the air quality down and around Ground Zero, that it was the Government that has neglected them for almost 8 years with very few exceptions... I'd say this is the least they could do. - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

By Michael Mcauliff
6/24/2009

WASHINGTON - Rival New York politicians are putting aside their distaste for one another in hopes of getting the U.S. Senate to embrace a major bill to help the ailing heroes of Sept. 11.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will team up on a 9/11 health bill Wednesday with Mayor Bloomberg and key members of the House, including Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) and Pete King (R-Long Island) - who would both like to unseat the recently appointed senator in 2010.

The measure, which would re-open the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, among other things, is similar to legislation pending in the House that's a cherished cause of Maloney and King.

To me, getting this bill passed is like winning half the battle. Well, 1/3 of the battle. Bringing about justice for the 9/11 attacks, and reversing everything that has happened in the name of that day to the best of our ability would be the other 2/3. - Jon

GILLIBRAND, SCHUMER, LAUTENBERG, MENENDEZ TO INTRODUCE JAMES ZADROGA 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT IN THE U.S. SENATE

Today at 8:07pm

First Time Comprehensive 9/11 Health Legislation Will Be Introduced In Senate

Mayor Bloomberg and Representatives Maloney, Nadler, King, and McMahon to Join Gillibrand to Help Provide Treatment for Community Members, First Responders Suffering From 9/11-Related Health Effects

Joseph Zadroga, Fire Lt. Marty Fullam, Others Affected by Rescue and Clean-Up Efforts to Tell Their Stories

Source: nydailynews.com

BY Stephanie Gaskell
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, June 17th 2009, 4:00 AM

A New Jersey hospital that treats sick 9/11 first responders got a last-minute reprieve Tuesday when the feds vowed to send cash to keep it open through September.

The Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick had told its 1,800 patients it wasn't sure it could stay open past next month.

Federal funding had been held up over an accounting dispute, but late Tuesday the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health said it was sending $575,000 to cover summer expenses.

John Feal, founder of the Fealgood Foundation, which pushes for health care for 9/11 workers, said the money isn't enough.

Feal said, "$575,000 is like putting a Band-Aid on a machine-gun wound.

"Funding for three months is a joke when 9/11 first responders will need treatment for the rest of their lives."

-New Jersey Clinic Will Have Only $100K on Hand at Month’s End, May Stop Seeing Patients-

News Release: June 16, 2009

Contacts: Joe Soldevere (Maloney), 212-860-0606
Ilan Kayatsky (Nadler), 212-367-7350
Carol Danko (King), 202-225-7896
Lauren Amendolara (McMahon), 202-225-8420

Washington, D.C. – Today, New York Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, and Michael McMahon wrote to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orszag asking him to correct flawed accounting procedures and other obstacles put in place by the previous administration that are impeding the flow of funding to clinics operated by the World Trade Center Health Program (a full copy of the lawmakers’ letter is below). As a result of these difficulties, the WTC Health Program’s New Jersey clinic reports that it will only have $100,000 on hand by the end of June and may have to stop seeing patients by the end of next month.

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!! - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

Tuesday, June 16th 2009, 4:00 AM

Nearly 2,000 sick 9/11 first responders could be left without medical care while a New Jersey hospital battles with the federal government for more money, the Daily News has learned.

The Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in ., says it expects to run out of federal funding next month.

It has requested more money, but the Office of Management and Budget in Washington has disputed the hospital is broke.

"The promise is that the check's in the mail," said Dr. James Melius, of the New York State Laborers' Health and Safety Fund. "But it's been in the mail now for two months."

A hospital spokesman confirmed that they're waiting for more funding but said he's hopeful the money will come in time.

An OMB spokesman didn't immediately return a call for comment.

John Feal just posted the following on Facebook:

"Rumor has it HR 847 is getting reintroduced into the senate this month. Now getting it through both the House & Senate will be a task, but the lives it will save and the pain it will ease on heroes is a no brainer. Lets go elected officials and pass HR 847"

I recently obtained a letter from my Rep. stating that he plans to support H.R. 847.

Please write to your Reps, and tell them that you want them to vote for H.R. 847.

You can find your Rep here.

I can't tell you how important this is. John mentioned yesterday that two 9/11 heroes died this week. One from cancer, and one from suicide.

Please do what you can.

www.fealgoodfoundation.com

Dated 4/3/2009

Dear Jonathan:

Thank you for contacting me with your support for H.R. 847, the proposed James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

As you may know, H.R. 847 would, if enacted, provide medical treatment and compensation to first responders, construction workers, local residents and others who became ill as a result of exposure to Ground Zero toxins after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The bill would re-open the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) in order to provide compensation to the responders and community members whose illnesses did not manifest until after the VCF deadline.

H.R. 847 was introduced by Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York on February 4, 2009 and was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and the Judiciary. Although I am not a Member of either of these Committees, please know that I intend to support the bill should it come before the full House for a vote.

Again, thank you for contacting me with your views on this issue. If I can be of help to you or your family in the future, please let me know.

Responders, volunteers, friends & supporters:

3 weeks ago we witnessed the most significant progress in almost 8 years of neglect and denial. On March 31st we traveled to D.C. for the first of 2 hearings on our bill HR847 the James Zadroga Health & Compensation Act. Our presence was felt and this important piece of legislation now has momentum, more so then ever. This Wednesday on April 22nd we travel back to D.C. to show our nations leaders we will continue to be a presence until we achieve our common goal. And that is the passage of HR847. I am optimistic that this bill will pass through the house and I am confident Sen. Chuck Schumer will introduce this bill in the senate very shortly. Is this bill a ten on the 1-10 scale? Absolutely not, but this bill in my mind is an 8 with room for improvement, and this bill will provide health care and compensation for thousands of brave souls and innocent victims of 9/11 who suffer from it's horrific aftermath. After dozens of meetings, conference calls & hundreds of letters and emails, I am confident we are close, and I am confident that the NY Delegation is fighting for us tooth & nail. As a 9/11 responder horribly injured at Ground Zero, I am proud of my service to this country. But I am even more proud to know I served a fraternity of heroes and great Americans like all of you. Our work is far from done, and we must stand united as one for us to finish our journey. A journey in which we have seen so many good men & woman loose their battle to 9/11 illnesses. But a journey where so many of you have become heroes twice for your resolve & testament to fight and survive. I salute all uniform & non-uniform workers, because your actions should be embraced and emulated by all who suffer from history and governmental neglect. God bless you all & god bless America.

John Feal
Founder & President of the FealGood Foundation
Injured 9/11 Responder
Kidney Donor
Above And Beyond Citizen Honors recipient from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

You can find your Rep here.

I could cry. - Jon

Source: newsday.com

BY TOM BRUNE | tom.brune@newsday.com
3:57 PM EDT, March 31, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Sponsors of a bill to compensate and cover health care costs of ailing 9/11 responders and recovery workers predicted Tuesday the House would pass the long-pending legislation this year.

New York Democratic Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, of Manhattan, key sponsors of the measure, said the bill's ultimate fate lies in the Senate, where Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has promised to introduce a companion bill.

"We have a really good chance of passing this," Nadler said.

Added Maloney, "We're going to get it done. We're going to pass this bill."

Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) said some Republicans would join Democrats in voting for the bill. Nadler said if Congress passes a bill President Barack Obama has said he would sign it.

Tomorrow, 2 busloads of 9/11 First Responders are going down to Washington D.C. to make sure those who need to hear what they have to say, hear them loud and clear. Rep. Carolyn Maloney and others are having a committee hearing on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Please, today and tomorrow, call your Reps, and tell them that you support this bill. As the New York Daily news reports, this bill "will offer medical help and compensation for everyone affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center."

It has almost been 8 years. That is too long to suffer. Please do what you can to help them get this bill passed. Thank you.

You can find your Representative here.

The other day I was told something by Charlie that is infuriating. His family needs help. Charlie has been a huge advocate for the 9/11 First Responders.

As a member of the FealGood Foundation, Charlie was not allowed to receive any assistance from us because obviously it would have been seen as a conflict of interest. Sadly, and appropriately, the FealGood Foundation asked Charlie to resign.

John Feal released this statement: