MICHAEL APPLETON

NOT JUST A STATISTIC

  • 140: miles Ray walked in D.C. hallways this year lobbying elected officials“People asked ‘why the hell did you stay at ground zero?’ We stayed down there to see if we could find something. To find our friends.” – Ray Pfeifer, retired Fire FighterRay slept on his fire truck for the 7 days following 9/11 and worked at the WTC site for months. Today, Ray has stage four cancer throughout his body.
  • 22,000+: first responders and survivors sought treatment from the WTC health program in 2014 alone{quote}I've volunteered my whole life and I didn't have to be at ground zero, but I love my city - I love my country. I never imagined it would kill me.{quote} - Jaime Hazan, volunteer EMT.Jaime suffers from lung disease.
  • 4,166+: number of responders and survivors who have a certified 9/11 related cancerJohn McNamara worked more than 500 hours on the pile. John was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006 when his wife, Jennifer, was 4 months pregnant. John died in 2009.He is survived by Jennifer McNamara and their son Jack.John was part of the search and rescue operation for three weeks following the attack. He continued to work at the site twice a week until he retired in February, 2002. John suffers from PTSD, GERD, and heart problems.
  • 14,000: size of the flock of FDNY uniformed fire fighters and EMTs to which Department chaplains tendIn addition to providing spiritual guidance and leading Sunday mass for those working at ground zero, Father Christopher Keenan spent months sifting through dust and debris searching for human remains.Father Chris was appointed Fire Department Chaplain in Nov. 2001, following the death of Rev. Mychal F. Judge in the 9/11 attacks. “The Zadroga Bill will enable me to more closely track my lung and thyroid conditions.”
  • 300+: dogs worked at ground zeroFrank Shane spent 9 months working at ground zero with Nikie, a crisis intervention dog.Frank, photographed with Chance, continues to work with crisis dogs. He now suffers from respiratory issues.
  • 14: years committed to counseling the families of 9/11 victims“I don’t see any end to it. We still have people getting sick and we still have children losing parents. The calendar doesn’t mean much to the people involved.” – Rev. Bill Minson
  • 9: months spent volunteering at ground zero{quote}It's important to speak up and make sure those who were affected are protected. A great nation should never leave its people behind.{quote} - Bianca BobBianca volunteered with the Salvation Army on 9/14 and became a Gator driver, supporting the effort by delivering food, supplies, and transporting workers.
  • 239: percent more likely than the rest of the population 9/11 responders will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer{quote}My last day of fire academy was 9/10/01. I was just 21 years old. On 9/11/01, on my way to help at ground zero, a priest read me my last rites as I pulled the tags off my brand new gear.{quote} - Rob Serra, retired fire fighter
  • 90,000+: liters of jet fuel combusted in the World Trade Center attack{quote}Because of the toxins in the air, we were reluctant to return. We were told the air was safe to breathe - clearly, it wasn't.{quote} - Catherine Hughes, downtown resident.Jet fuel exacerbated the dust cloud - which scientists say was as caustic as Drano - leading to a wide range of cancers and symptoms in responders and residents.
  • 1,800,000: tons of debris removed from the WTC site44-year-old Paul Wewe supervised the removal of debris from ground zero. He worked from October 18, 2001 until May 28, 2002.In 2010, Paul was diagnosed with lung cancer. He needs the Zadroga Act to pass to pay for the treatment that will help keep him alive.
  • 0: seconds hesitated before running to help0: seconds regretting that decision{quote}I ran towards it. I was raised in a military family - you never leave someone behind.{quote} - Keith Lebow, volunteer. Keith volunteered at the WTC site for more than 100 hours. {quote}I'm in a lot of pain. My back, my lungs, my legs - I hurt.{quote}
  • 72,000: 9/11 responders receiving medical monitoring to safeguard against emerging injuries{quote}The bill should exist as long as the people who answered the call on 9/11 are alive.{quote} - Andrew Harrison, Corrections OfficerAndrew worked at ground zero for 6 months on rescue and recovery. Today, he faces respiratory problems.
  • 138: NYPD officers deceased from 9/11-related illnessesWilliam J. Bratton is the 42nd Police Commissioner of the City of New York.
  • -QUICK PORTFOLIO-
  • HURRICANE KATRINA
  • EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
  • PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 2008
  • IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN
  • NEW YORK CITY
  • 9/11
  • NOT JUST A STATISTIC
  • FACES of NYC's REFUGEES
  • AMERICAN CHAIN GANG
  • LEBANON
  • NY GIANTS RUN
  • HAITI COUP D'ETAT
  • SKI IRAN
  • BIO
  • CONTACT