Welcome to the World Trade Center Rescuers Foundation.
Our Mission
World Trade Center Rescuers Foundation is a not for profit organization started by 9/11 Rescue workers to create a centralized resource center for the diverse populations affected by the toxic air around Ground Zero. Our mission is to connect rescue workers with the resources and information they need to better deal with the complicated health and financial issues facing them and their families.
A 501C3 Not for Profit Foundation
Rescuers at Risk
Rescuers that worked at the World Trade Center site from September 11, 2001 until the end of the cleanup in 2002, were exposed multiple toxins while performing the rescue and recovery work. There are multiple factors that effect how much and by which toxins you were exposed to. Studies done by Mount Sinai show 76.5% of the first days rescuers are sick, 64% of the rescuers who work when the fires were out in December 2001 have some medical problems, 14% of the rescuers who worked when the fires were out until the end of the recovery operation are also sick. Thousands of World Trade Center rescuers are already disabled. Thousands more are sick and still working. Everyday, more rescuers get sick and some are now dying. It has been reported that there may be as many as 100 deaths attributed to the 9/11 toxic exposure. USAR and FEMA teams and volunteers from all over the country came to New York in our time of need and have subsequently gone home. Now some of these brave volunteers are also getting sick and need help.
RADS (Reactive Airway Disease)
This is the most common problem related to toxic exposure at the World Trade Center site. It has been called asthma, but it has shown to be occupational asthma directly related to toxic injury of the lungs. Most people’s lungs can tolerate a lot of damage before they show signs and symptoms. It is only after the disease has caused significant damage to the lungs, that the real signs of the disease are evident. These signs are:
1. Unexplained shortness of breath on exertion or upon exposure to perfumes or smoke.
2. Being diagnosed with asthma without a family history of the disease.
3. Increased snoring or waking-up short of breath, post 9/11.
4. Reoccurring sinus and/or respiratory infections, since 9/11.
5. Fatigue or feeling run down most of the time, since 9/11.
6. GERD, gas or upset stomach, since 9/11.
7. Rashes, growths, or cancers, since 9/11(where there is no known link other than a higher incidence than the general population).
If you have any of these signs or symptoms you need to see a doctor and let the doctor know you had worked at the World Trade Center rescue and recovery operation. You need to file a WTC-12 with New York State Workers Compensation Board before the August 14, 2007 deadline.
We are currently building our site please visit us again soon.
You may contact us at:
The World Trade Center Rescuers Foundation
22-02 Steinway Street
Astoria, New York 11105
T - (718) 204-6361
F - (718) 204-6866
Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WTC_R_F/ for further information.
