The Struggles of 9/11 Responders Facing Health Crises
The situation for many heroes from 9/11 is increasingly complicated. They’re battling not only the fallout from cancer and terrorist attacks but also the challenges of accessing public victim funds for legitimate compensation.
David Bliss, a volunteer firefighter, and Bruce Haddock, an EMS captain with the FDNY, are both struggling to manage their healthcare costs while facing terminal illnesses. They claim that the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the Disability Pension have denied their requests for assistance.
“I remember it well—the banner that read: ‘We will never forget,'” said Bliss, a 61-year-old former firefighter from Ohio, reminiscing on his days at Ground Zero shortly after the attacks.
Bliss was among those who traveled to New York to assist the FDNY in the aftermath of the tragedy, spending three weeks sifting through the rubble. The pain of losing 15 colleagues weighs heavily on him.
Now, he is confronting stage 4 lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other tumors diagnosed since 2020.
Despite his efforts, the VCF has rejected all his claims over the last three years, citing insufficient evidence linking his ailments to his work at Ground Zero. Bliss insists he has documents and testimonials supporting his case.
“I have a photo of me standing in the ruins of the South Tower!” he expressed, clearly frustrated by the denials.
“It makes me furious. I volunteered to help, and now I’m literally paying the price. This isn’t right,” he added, reflecting on his deteriorating health and his change in priorities—from seeking compensation for medical bills to now needing funds for burial expenses.
Feeling hopeless, he’s even resorted to a GoFundMe campaign to avoid burdening his family.
The U.S. Department of Justice, responsible for the VCF, has not yet provided comments on his situation.
Bliss believes his out-of-state status may be influencing the denials, suspecting funds are prioritized for New Yorkers over him.
For Bruce Haddock, the challenges are also profound. He claims that despite being a primary responder to the events of 9/11, his application for a disability pension was rejected on grounds of not being “sick enough.” He continually worries about a potential recurrence of cancer, a stress he feels he shouldn’t have to endure.
Haddock’s health issues became apparent in 2007, and he used to be quite active. Now, he struggles even to walk.
Throughout the years, he’s faced multiple health challenges, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and two bouts of testicular cancer. Though some medical expenses have been covered, a serious condition forced him into early retirement after taking a lengthy medical leave. When he sought a pension, he was shocked to learn it was denied.
Upon appealing the decision, he found out that there had been undisclosed policy changes within the retirement system, resulting in delays for retirees seeking re-evaluations.
As a result, he has missed substantial income—up to $60,000 this year alone—leading him to deplete his savings, sell his car, and move in with family while also starting a GoFundMe campaign for support.
Questions sent to the retirement authority about his situation went unanswered due to “confidentiality” concerns.
Haddock believes this issue impacts many EMS workers who might receive pensions through different paths than those in the FDNY or NYPD.
“There are others suffering far worse, and it feels like they are being ignored,” he lamented. “I did my duty; I don’t see myself as a hero. I just did what I was supposed to do, and now the government isn’t stepping up to help.”
