National Guardsmen who were present at Ground Zero on 9/11 attacks are coming forward to raise awareness about 9/11 first responders cancer. According to members of the Army National Guard Unit deployed from Rochester to assist with the aftermath of 9/11, the federal government should step in to provide additional assistance.

The members are dying of cancer and the government is not doing enough to help quickly, they say. The group anticipates that 9/11 first responders cancer impacted at least two of their members in the previous year and three more that could pass away this year.

Many of those who believe they were ultimately diagnosed with cancer have been unable to identify the exact contaminants or chemicals that may have contributed towards their cancer diagnosis. However, the report from the national guardsmen says the soot was up to three inches deep in the area and they were exposed to all of the different chemicals as a result of the explosion.

After multiple people developed cancer associated with 9/11 first responders, they began to wonder whether they will qualify for compensation through the World Trade Center Health Program.

Compensation for 9/11 first responders cancer has been provided to various other people as a result of their time at ground zero. However, the members of this particular National Guard unit say that the federal government did not tell them about the opportunity to receive support from this program until it was too late.

Some of those who have been affected first hand by 9/11 first responders cancer believe that there are differences in how the government treats part-time and full-time National Guard members as well.

There are four categories for eligibility in the World Trade Center Health Program for 9/11 first responders’ cancer victims. After someone is enrolled, medical monetary compensation is provided and the WTC Health Program gives assistance for those conditions that are believed to be related directly to ground zero.

There are no clear requirements for notification, however. As a result, however, some National Guard groups report that they were never told about these benefits until after some of the members had already developed cancer and there were limited opportunities to address the cancer problems directly.

Depending on the chemicals and the method of exposure, it can take months or years for cancerous conditions to develop. Linking cancer to its specific cause is not easy either, but more reports than ever show a correlation between 9/11 first responders and cancer.

If you or someone you know has been affected by 9/11 first responders cancer, you may wish to participate in a current investigation for those victims and family members seeking compensation.