In an article from New York’s WABC, a group of high school students were identified as active advocates for the rights of 9/11 cancer victims.

Former Stuyvesant High School students attending secondary school in lower Manhattan from September 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attack on the twin towers, through May 31, 2002, the day the final disaster cleanup was completed, have recently initiated a public awareness campaign.

According to the group of former high school students which advocate together with other 9/11 cancer awareness groups and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), it is critical that anyone diagnosed with any one of several cancers affecting different body systems or breathing problems realize the source of those difficulties.

The coalition, known as Know Your Rights, wants to spread the knowledge that there were millions of toxins released into the air both on the day of the attack and continually during the debris removal process.

Seventeen years later, students attending school, residents, and workers of businesses in lower Manhattan are being diagnosed with 9/11 cancer at alarming rates, along with respiratory dysfunctions.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is Here to Help

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund was reopened and made available for current sufferers of respiratory diseases and a host of 9/11 cancer diagnoses in early 2011. It had previously closed two years after the terrorist attack, severely underestimating the health toll that exposure to the airborne toxins from the incident would cause in the long run.

To date, there are up to 70 different types of cancers that are listed as eligible for compensation under this fund. It is slated to be open for registration until 2020 and may need renewal at that time.

Meanwhile, compensation is available to help pay for exorbitant medical bills, lost wages due to illness, funeral and living expenses for surviving family members and for simple pain and suffering.

Those getting diagnosed recently with 9/11 cancer are encouraged to contact a professional to assist with the complicated documentation related to the fund.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Among the cancer-causing agents released that day were asbestos fibers, glass, and toxins related to the burning of airplane jet fuel—more than likely benzene. While all of these are taxing to the system, none are more sobering to consider the implications of than the release of asbestos fibers.

Asbestos exposure causes a 9/11 cancer called mesothelioma, which can attack the linings of the lungs, heart and abdomen.

Mesothelioma tends to have a minimum latency period of 10 years and average latency period of 35 years prior to development. Simply put, this means that after fibers remain embedded in the lung tissue or linings of other organs or body cavities, it can take up to that amount of time before cancer develops and is diagnosed.

While frequently there are cellular and DNA changes happening during latency, the discovery of 9/11 cancer doesn’t often happen until it is advanced. It is a cancer with a very limited survival rate.

Approaching the 20-year anniversary, we maybe just experiencing the tip of the iceberg in terms of 9/11-related health issues arising for students, residents, business employees, volunteer cleanup people, city employees and first responders.