It has been nearly two decades since the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, and in that time period, more and more victims and first responders have been diagnosed with 9/11 illnesses, including dozens of types of cancer. Many of these people have been working together for years to defend the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and urge Congress to renew it.

On Dec. 16, Mayor Bill de Blasio reportedly presented the Bronze Medallion—the highest civic honor in New York City—to a group of eighteen individuals who have tirelessly advocated for the renewal of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

The ceremony, called “Never Forgotten,” took place at Beacon Theatre in Manhattan, to honor the advocates who successfully got federal lawmakers to approve the renewal of the fund through 2092. Previously, the fund had only been renewed for a few years at a time. Essentially, this means that this renewal of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund will ensure that those diagnosed with 9/11 related illnesses after exposure to dangerous toxins at Ground Zero will receive decades’ worth of medical care and compensation.

“We got it done so nobody has to worry again,” said Richard Palmer, part of the FealGood Foundation headed by John Feal, which has advocated hard for the fund’s renewal. The tagline on the foundation’s website is “No Responders Left Behind.”

“We were all strangers. But everybody came together,” Palmer said. “We worked in teams and looked out for each other.”

According to Feal, his advocacy for the fund led him to make 282 trips to Washington to lobby Congress. Now, having finally succeeded in having the fund renewed for decades yet to come, Feal said that receiving this honor from the mayor is difficult. “Getting accolades is difficult when people are sick and dying,” Feal said.

There were 18 people given the Bronze Medallion for demonstrating exceptional citizenship and outstanding achievement. Among the honorees were several first responders, four of whom received the award posthumously. Also honored at the event were advocates like comedian Jon Stewart, director of 9/11 Environmental Action Kimberly Flynn, the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey, the Municipal Labor Committee, three U.S. representatives, and two U.S. Senators. A full list of honorees can be found on the website for the City of New York.

Filing a September 11 Cancer Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with 9/11 cancer or one of the other 9/11-related health conditions, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by cancer or other illnesses, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

The prospect of filing a 9/11 lawsuit can be daunting, especially while dealing with serious medical conditions or grief over the death of a loved one, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.