The other day I was told something by Charlie that is infuriating. His family needs help. Charlie has been a huge advocate for the 9/11 First Responders.

As a member of the FealGood Foundation, Charlie was not allowed to receive any assistance from us because obviously it would have been seen as a conflict of interest. Sadly, and appropriately, the FealGood Foundation asked Charlie to resign.

John Feal released this statement:

Source: nypost.com

By SUSAN EDELMAN
March 15, 2009

The city has asked a judge to toss out 9/11 claims by 4,600 cops, firefighters, and paramedics, arguing the "uniformed" personnel are not entitled to workplace protection under state labor laws.

The legal maneuver has infuriated Ground Zero responders, who called the city's move "a slap in the face."

New York's Bravest and Finest fought smoldering fires at Ground Zero, dug for human remains and guarded the toxic disaster site for months, the city says. But they don't get the same protections as manual laborers, mechanics and other "working men," the city contends.

"The uniformed plaintiffs do not fall within the class of employees entitled to the protections of the labor law," city lawyer James Tyrrell argues in a motion filed in Manhattan federal court.

Uniformed workers make up half of about 9,000 city employees, construction workers and others who have filed suits against the city in the World Trade Center cleanup.

Jon Gold
3/10/2009

"I was just in the hospital for 8 days with respiratory & coronary problems. Then I come out to find out that the insurance carrier decided at the last minute to appeal my award from workmans comp that was just given to me after waiting 7 1/2 years."

This was just told to me by 9/11 First Responder Charlie Giles. Charlie was an EMT that went into the North Tower to try and help people, and got caught when the building collapsed. He was pulled out of the rubble, and has had to deal with serious medical problems ever since.

Charlie is but one of thousands with similar problems. It has almost been 8 years since that horrid day, and for the most part, the 9/11 First Responders and the people of New York living around Ground Zero have been neglected. Neglected by those who were more than willing to use their images to sell two wars, take away our civil liberties, and practically destroy this country.

It is LONG past due that these individuals receive the help they so DESPERATELY need and deserve.

It's important to remember who forgot them because it wasn't us. - Jon

Source: nydailynews.com

Saturday, February 7th 2009, 4:00 AM

A new study by researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center confirms the terrible truth about the long-term damage suffered by many rescue and recovery workers who responded to the World Trade Center.

The serious ill effects caused by breathing the toxic cloud that draped The Pile are, to this day, persistent and chronic among thousands of brave men and women who pitched in heroically after the terror attack.

Tests on more than 3,160 cops, construction workers and others found that more than 24% showed abnormal lung function between 2004 and 2007, down only slightly from the 28% who exhibited reduced lung function in similar examinations from 2002 to 2004.

The findings reinforce a second truth: Congress must find the will and the wherewithal to provide health care, monitoring and compensation to all those who remain sickened by exposure to WTC dust.

I didn't post this before because I saw it as an opportunistic policy decision for the election. Of course, now that he's presumably won, well... - Jon

Obama backs 9/11 health bill

Source: downtownexpress.com

By Josh Rogers
10/10/2008

Barack Obama’s campaign said last week that he supports an $11 billion bill to provide care and monitoring to anyone who is having health problems because of 9/11.

“Yes, Obama does support the bill,” Blake Zeff, New York communications director for the presidential campaign, wrote in an email to Downtown Express last Thursday. Obama’s support for the bill was first reported at downtownexpress.com later that day, Oct. 2.

The bill would reopen the 9/11 victims compensation fund to provide health money for people who can demonstrate health problems from the toxic chemicals and dust that covered Lower Manhattan after 9/11.

Another fund-raiser has come and gone. I wanted to say thank you to every person that donated something. Either to the chip-in account, or directly to the FealGood Foundation. You have participated in an absolute good.

According to reports, the legislation to give the first responders, and New Yorkers the help that they need has been "shelved" which means they may look at it again in the future. One of the first things the new President should do is champion this cause. Not doing so is disgraceful in my eyes. Again, thank you to everyone that donated.

Do you see this? Do you see it? Make sure you look at it REALLY hard. The FealGood Foundation went through the trouble of making a movie called "Save The Brave" for the purposes of influencing our elected officials in Washington D.C. so they pass a bill to make sure they get the help they need.

Instead, they cared more about bailing out the Wall Street "fat cats," than helping our heroes at a time when they need us. Just as we needed them.

9/11 RESPONDERS NEED FLOOR VOTE FROM SPEAKER PELOSI
7 YEARS LATER 9/11 RESPONDERS NEED RESCUE: CALL 202-225-0100
NO HEALTH CARE FOR 9/11 RESPONDERS MEANS NO HEALTH CARE FOR ANY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Feal – 516-901-7427
Anne Marie Baumann – 516-551-0986
 
September 27, 2008—New York, NY—As the Congress continues to work on the rescue package, renamed from bailout package 9/11 responders throughout America wait for a vote on HR7174 the 9/11 Health & Compensation Bill, seven years after 9/11.

SAVE THE BRAVE, a documentary was given to all Members of Congress encouraging their support for the much needed help responders require following their service at Ground Zero. Real illnesses and no actors were used in making this portrait of suffering.                 
                                                       

John Feal just received a call from Rep. Carolyn Maloney. H.R. 6594 is going to be introduced on the House Floor tomorrow morning. Please please please call your Representative, and tell them that you support this bill. I don't need to tell you how much they need this. Thank you for doing what you can.

Source: justicenewsflash.com

Jana Simard Legal Reporter
September 3, 2008

New York City, New York (JusticeNewsFlash.com – News report) – In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, citizens of New York bonded together and formed huge volunteer cleanup efforts for their beloved city. One dedicated volunteer was a former state correction officer – 54 year-old - Gregory Quibell of North Babylon, Long Island. Quibell devoted 242 hours at the Ground Zero site between September 12 and November 22, 2001, according to state Correction Department records. After the inhumane terror attacks, Quibell worked night and day to shuttle firefighters to and from the World Trade Center, not knowing that toxins in the air continually contaminated his lungs. He was soon diagnosed with leukemia and pulmonary fibrosis and sadly passed away.

My sincerest condolences to the Quibell family. I haven't held a fund-raiser for the responders in quite a while. Mostly what I've done is convince others that their efforts should include fund-raising for the first responders. Mark Peters told me the other day that he makes an effort every month to at least send something to the FealGood Foundation. That sounds like an excellent idea, and one that everyone should try to do. - Jon

Source: newsday.com

BY MICHAEL FRAZIER
8/29/2008

Racked by pain and the ravages of leukemia, first responder Gregory Quibell of North Babylon allowed film crews to record poignant moments of his life.

For weeks, his visits to doctors and his struggles to pay medical bills were captured for a documentary called "Save the Brave," which premiered last night at the Bellmore Theatre in Bellmore.

The film's opening is dedicated to Quibell, 53, who died Wednesday night at his home, friends said. The film features three other first responders living with Sept. 11-related illnesses.

All proceeds to benefit gravely ill 9/11 first responders through the FealGood Foundation.

Our goal is to raise a million dollars from the download of this song. The only way this will be possible is with your help. Please tell your friends and family so we can all join together and support these men and women!

Please go here to learn more.

Source: newsday.com

BY ZACHARY R. DOWDY | zachary.dowdy@newsday.com
August 6, 2008

Kevin M. Delano, a firefighter who worked to find survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, has died of leukemia.

The former Howard Beach, Queens, resident was 54 and died July 30. As a member of Ladder 142 in Ozone Park, Queens, Delano was one of the first people to arrive at the rubble of Ground Zero after the skyscrapers crumbled.

He worked at the site for more than 40 hours straight. He had hoped to find any survivors, but especially sought his close friend, Ray York, of Howard Beach, who was killed.

Delano was retired from the Fire Department of New York and had served as chief of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department in Queens. He also had worked as a transit police officer and a member of the Coast Guard.

This is a trailer for a film about the plight of the 9/11 First Responders made by 9/11 First Responders. Produced by the FealGood Foundation. Look for its release in the coming weeks.