This 9/11 First Responder has one last battle left to fight

Fifty-nine-year-old Ray Pfeifer is terminally ill with an incurable cancer that has spread to his brain, lungs and adrenal glands. It’s most likely that the cancer was caused by his involvement during 9/11 as a first responder. Hundreds of New York firefighters have already passed away from the toxins that they were exposed to on that tragic day.

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The names of the firefighters who have perished from illnesses related to 9/11 (more than 140) are emblazoned on a Wall of Honor. However, that is different from the wall first created in 1865 that bears the names of the 343 FDNY servicemen and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Pfeifer believes that is unfair and that the names of men are on a board other than the iconic plaque. He is one of many who have and will continue to die from cancers caused by toxins they were exposed to in the rubble of the twin towers.

Another former fireman, Joe Donovan, told PIX11, “They wouldn’t have these illnesses if they weren’t down there.” Donovan has been one of the loudest voices in the call to recognize firemen who die from the illnesses. FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said, “I would respectfully disagree with those who may believe that our members are treated differently than all of the other responders.” Nigro has first-hand knowledge of the losses incurred at Ground Zero — he lost his best friend in the tragedy, whom he replaced as chief of the department the next day.

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Pfeifer helped lead the charge to pass the Zadroga Act, a bill that grants health care to firefighters suffering from respiratory illnesses related to 9/11. The father of two told PIX11, “I’m a lucky guy […] my kids are 23 and 24. When it’s your time, it’s your time.”

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