Readers Write: Remember Al, a 9/11 victim

The Island Now

This past year I went to the funeral of my friend Al.
He pasted away from Multiple Myeloma due to 9/11.
He worked at the World Trade Center.
You will never hear his name mentioned on 9/11 or listed at the memorial.
In order for Al to be listed at the 9/11 Memorial, at the time of his death the coroner’s office must list on the death certificate that the Multiple Myeloma was due to 9/11.
It is not enough that the World Trade Center Health Fund or The World Trade Center Victim’s Fund already certified Al.
I hope a politician is reading this and will correct how a person is recognized for the 9/11 Memorial.
Al was one of 10,000 people who are currently living with Cancer and numerous diseases due to 9/11.  
The World Trade Center Health Fund supports victims and first responders of 9/11 who have life ending and continuous health problems due to 9/11.
If you have worked or lived in the area of the World Trade Center on 9/11, you may be eligible for services under the World Trade Center Health Fund.
The effects of 9/11 did not end on that day.
Sadly, the 10,000 figure of Victims and First Responders are increasing daily. 9/11 has become a once a year remembrance day.
For those of us who are living with cancer and other diseases due to 9/11, 9/11 is an every day event.
We do not forget.
Too many Americans and our politicians remember 9/11 only when there is a terrorist attack or politically beneficial.
Even then, I think 9/11 is becoming an event tucked away in our history books.
This year on 9/11, remember those beautiful souls that perished at The World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania.  
Also remember, there are 10,000 of us who are living with life-ending sicknesses due to 9/11.
You will not know our names.
So remember Al.
Scott Matty
Port Washington

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