On September 11, 2001, two hijacked passenger airplanes flew into the twin towers of the World Trade Center causing the deaths of thousands of victims, including 343 New York Fire Department Firefighters, 23 New York Police Department Officers, and 37 Port Authority Police Officers.

Since that infamous day, nearly half as many firefighters have succumbed to 9/11-related cancer and other illnesses.

Among those brave civil servants that have died of 9/11-related cancer is now 64-year-old Michael McDonald, a New York Firefighter that had spent 28 years in service at Ladder 128 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Michael was so dedicated that while he was enjoying time off on the day of the terrorist attacks, he promptly reported for duty at ground zero when hearing of the event.

According to an article by Firehouse, Michael spent long shifts for the next several months at the World Trade Center site assisting in any way he could. This dedication exposed him to toxins that later brought on his 9/11-related cancer of the lungs diagnosed in October 2016.

By the time the 9/11-related cancer was discovered, it had allegedly spread to multiple locations throughout his body including his adrenal glands, liver, bones, and brain. The prognosis was not good, but efforts were made by removing the middle lobe of his right lung.

Before beginning further post-surgical treatment for his 9/11-related cancer, however, Michael insisted that he and his wife sell their home of 29 years in Farmington, New York—located in central Long Island—and move to Leland, N.C. The couple had had plans to retire to an area with warmer weather, and he wanted to ensure it would happen.

Michael happened to meet his wife Diana McDonald the same year that he joined the New York Fire Department in 1984. He finally left the department in 2012, hopeful for a pleasurable retirement and ignorant of the 9/11-related cancer diagnosis that was right around the corner.

Michael is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, and a community of September 11 firefighters and other civil servants that put their country and city above themselves on that very important historical day.

Diana McDonald told Firehouse that Michael loved his job. The other firefighters—both male and female—with whom he worked side-by-side have offered each other connection to a wider community over the decades in which he served.

Michael is the 181^st victim that is part of this community to succumb after the Twin Towers event from 9/11-related cancer or other serious illness. Additionally, 185 New York City cops have also died in the years afterwards related to the toxins to which they were exposed.

The revived World Trade Center health program continues to see applicants enrolling for help with medical care related to 9/11 illnesses. In June of this year, a record of 88,484 enrollees were counted. These enrollees are both first responders and general survivors that were in the area below Canal Street on the day of the attack and in the months of cleanup.