Full Breakdown
The Seventh Moment of Silence: Honoring 9/11-Related Illnesses
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
Twenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the nation continues to confront the long-term health fallout. The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, a multi-institution research and treatment effort, now tracks more than 150,000 survivors and first responders. In a ceremony on September 11, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum added a seventh moment of silence to its annual program, specifically recognizing those who have died from illnesses linked to the toxic dust and debris of the attacks.
Data & Statistics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- As of June 30, 2026, the WTC Health Program documented more than 139,000 health conditions in this population.
- Cancer accounts for about 71 percent of the conditions recorded in the past 12 months. Non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer are the most common, with rarer forms such as brain cancer, leukemia and testicular cancer also reported.
- The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) receives over 800 new applications a month, roughly 200 more than in 2023. The fund paid out almost $2 billion for 9,800 cases last year.
- More than 8,000 enrollees in the WTC Health Program have died, and “tens of thousands” continue to battle 9/11-related health conditions.
Personal Accounts
Matthew McCauley, a former police officer who helped clear rubble, now works as a lawyer for the advocacy organization 9/11 Health Watch.
Fox News reporter Eric Shawn recounts developing a chronic cough within two months of covering the collapse, later progressing to chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a prostate cancer diagnosis now monitored through the WTC Health Program.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, speaking at a police memorial unveiling, stressed that “the history represented by this wall is still being written,” highlighting the continued loss of officers to illness.
The New York City mayor’s office has agreed to release internal documents suggesting the city may have downplayed air-quality concerns in the months after the attacks, a step that could broaden understanding of exposure and inform future health-program eligibility.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The World Trade Center Health Program has expanded [our] understanding beyond first responders to include survivors, local workers, students and residents exposed to dust, trauma and disruption,” — Denise Harrison, MD
- “Our responsibility is to recognize cognitive change early, and to identify those of greatest risk before the impairment becomes irreversible,” — Benjamin J. Luft, MD
- “It means that those who worked or went to school in the New York City exposure zone – that's the VCF's exposure zone – are becoming aware of us, or becoming sick,” — Allison Turkel, Special Master
- “We've lost far too many to cancer, respiratory issues and other 9/11-related illnesses,” — Dr. Kerry Kelly, former FDNY chief medical officer
- “I cannot tell you your lived experience in this quarter century,” — Lillian Bonsignore, FDNY Commissioner
What's Next
The release of the city’s air-quality documents is expected to prompt new research into illnesses not currently covered by the WTC Health Program, including potential effects on pregnancy and fetal development. Advocates hope that additional data will expand eligibility and guide preventive measures for future disaster responses.
