An FBI Special Agent recently became the latest victim of the 9/11 illnesses inflicted on first responders and citizens following the infamous terrorist attacks.

FBI Special Agent Melissa Morrow recently died in what federal officials are calling a “line-of-duty” death after succumbing to brain cancer, one of many 9/11 illnesses allegedly caused by toxic materials exposure after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

After finishing law school in 1995, Morrow joined the FBI in Washington as a Special Agent. Following the terrorist attacks in 2001, she was assigned to the Pentagon response team in Washington where she spent months pulling and processing pieces of evidence from the contaminated site. For ten weeks following the 9/11 attacks, Special Agent Morrow spent hours every day sifting through the toxic crash site at the Pentagon which allegedly exposed her to toxic chemicals, dust, and fumes.

Fifteen years after the attacks, she was diagnosed with brain cancer allegedly caused by her exposure to toxic materials at the crash site. She was diagnosed in July 2016 after experiencing sudden and disabling attacks of massive headaches, insomnia, and fatigue. According to the New York Daily News, Morrow’s ailment was certified as one of many 9/11 illnesses by both the World Trade Center Health Program and the Sept. 11^th Victims Compensation Fund.

Despite the frightening diagnosis, Morrow allegedly remained positive. Following her diagnosis, she wrote in a personal web posting, “Every single day, hour, minute and second being alive is a precious gift”.

After battling cancer for over a year, Special Agent Morrow recently passed away at age 48. Due to the connection to 9/11 illnesses, the FBI classified her passing as a line-of-duty death. The agency stated that she made the “ultimate sacrifice” for her country and has honored her as such.

Her colleagues at the Kansas City field office recently tweeted, “Strength & courage come in many forms; most give some, some gave all. [Special Agent] Morrow will be remembered most as a warrior. She will forever be considered a hero.”

Across the country, hundreds of first responders are suffering from 9/11 illnesses as a result of exposure to toxic dust and fumes. According to statistic released by the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides benefits to first responders who developed 9/11 illnesses, only 1% of those enrolled in the program, a total of 488 people, were first responders at the Pentagon or in Shanksville, Pa. The majority of first responders enrolled suffer from 9/11 illnesses related to their efforts at Ground Zero and the tremendous amount of debris released when the Twin Towers toppled.

The World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11^th Victims Compensation Fund are programs that provide assistance and benefits for first responders who developed 9/11 illnesses as a result to exposure following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 9/11 illnesses eligible for assistance include lung cancer, melanoma, thyroid cancer, leukemia, mesothelioma, bone cancer, brain cancer, and more.

Although the process of navigating compensation claims can be burdensome on victims with 9/11 illnesses, a qualified attorney may be able to assist you with the process.