New Yorkers fight disease after September 11

New York – Nearly 3000 people were killed 9/11 and since then, more than 2,000 have died from Diseases associated with September 11th. An estimated 400,000 people have been exposed to zero point toxins, not just first responders.

Thousands of people have breathed in air contaminated with sprayed building materials, microscopic glass chips and asbestos for months. Amit Friedlander, who was a student at Stuyvesant High School, just three blocks from zero. CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz was also a student at Stuyvesant on 11 September.

At age 22, Friedlander successfully battled Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"In hindsight, I think my cancer is probably linked to September 11th and now that I know that if I could go back in time, I might not have gone back to school," Friedlander said. in Diaz.

More than 68 cancers are on the September 11th list of diseases identified by the federal government, ranging from asthma to skin cancer. Less than 100,000 people, or just one-quarter of the civilians and first-responders exposed, have enrolled in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's global health program, which offers screenings and treatments. Of these, more than 52,000 have illnesses associated with September 11th.

"We are on the lookout for an increasing number of cancers, particularly those that may be linked to long-acting and long-acting toxins, such as asbestos," said Dr. Michael Crane, head of the World Trade Center's health program at Mount Sinai Hospital.

It's a cloud that hangs over many students at Stuyvesant High School High School.

"Cathy is the reason I'm here today, 9-11 is not a subject I usually talk about, but it's so important, you see?" said Jukay Hsu.

Cathy Choy, of Stuyvesant, died this year of stomach cancer. She was only 32 years old.

A classmate who became a health advocate on September 11th said she knew 20 cases of 9/11-related cancers among her classmates. Health officials said it was essential that everyone, not just first responders, but people who lived, worked and went to school, benefit from free screenings.

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There are health services and screenings for people who were in downtown Manhattan at the time of the attacks. Anyone who has attended a school, who has lived or worked on Hudson Street is eligible for the World Trade Center Health Program.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/ or call 1-888-982-4748. For any questions about the process or help with applying, visit www.stuyhealth.org or send an email to [email protected].