February is National Cancer Awareness Month

Learn About Treatment Through the World Trade Center Health Program

 

 

We want to take this opportunity to build awareness about the World Trade Center Health Program and the medical and psychological conditions covered.

 

To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified nearly 60 cancers that 9/11 survivors and responders have developed as a result of their exposures to the toxins in Lower Manhattan after the attacks.  In addition, psychological conditions - such as anxiety, depression and PTSD - are also covered.

 

If you or someone you know lived, worked or went to school in the New York City Disaster Area on or after 9/11 and have symptoms, contact us for more information on the program and how to apply.

 

To learn more, visit www.voicesofseptember11.org.

 

Contact VOICES Project Director Stephanie Landau at 203-966-3911 or by email at slandau@voicesofsept11.org.

 

 

International Conference on Victims Assistance

 

 

In the wake of the devastation of the Paris attacks, millions of people walked together in solidarity on January 11, 2015. In honor of that date, the Government of France, under the patronage of UNESCO, hosted the first International Conference on Victims Assistance on January 9, 2017.

 

The conference brought together participants from over 30 different countries to share their expertise and experiences with the goal of identifying best practices for increasing resilience and rebuilding societies after traumatic mass victimization and terrorist incidents around the world. Heads of organizations, Ministers, Heads of State, victims and other representative experts were invited to share their lessons learned and effective victim assistance models for the purpose of creating an international dialogue and exchange to benefit all victims, globally.

 

The discussions touched on a wide variety of relevant topics, including recognizing the needs and role of the victim; the role of the media and the delicate balance between information and re-victimization; the training and coordination of first responders; the importance of long-term support for victims; and the sharing of international governmental best practices. Over and above the formal panel presentations, the conference provided an important networking opportunity, bringing together the collective passion, knowledge and research of all participants.

 

 

Jon Stewart Hosts Facebook Live Chat on the

World Trade Center Health Program

 

 

On Sunday, December 18, 2016, comedian Jon Stewart hosted a Facebook Live event from the 9/11 Museum in New York City to help raise awareness about the World Trade Center Health Program, and to encourage those who may qualify to apply for benefits, including those who survived that day and those who bravely and generously worked in the recovery efforts.

 

VOICES, along with our partners 9/11 Health Watch, NYCOSH, 9/11 Environmental Action, and the FealGood Foundation hosted public watch gatherings in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Attendees at these gatherings included 9/11 survivors and responders and clinical and/or municipal personnel representing survivors and responders in their communities.

 

Thanks to all who viewed and shared this information. To date, the video has been viewed more than 43,000 times, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a significant increase in the number of new applications to the program.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

9th Annual Always Remember Gala

Friday, March 31, 2017

 

 

Guastavino's

409 East 59th Street

New York, NY

 

6:00 PM Cocktail Reception | 7:00 Dinner

Followed by a dessert reception

 

 

 

Promoting Resilience in Communities Impacted by Trauma

5th Annual New Jersey Symposium

 

Thursday, April 20, 2017

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

 

Kean University | STEM Building

1075 Morris Avenue | Union, NJ

 

 

Presentations and Panel Discussions

 

Healing Trauma with Brainspotting

Navigating Recovery Communal Trauma:

Diagnosis and Treatment

 

Transcendental Meditation for PTSD

 

Recovery and Resilience: Stories of Post-Traumatic Growth from Families, Responders and Survivors

 

Accessing Medical and Psychological Treatment Through the World Trade Center Health Program

 

Trauma and the Family:  Impact and Recovery

 

9/11 Families, Responders, and Survivors: No charge

Symposium Fee for Professionals: $75 | 6 CEU Credits: $25

Students and Kean Faculty: $25 | Exhibitor Table Fee $100

 

Thanks to our sponsors:

The World Trade Center Health Program

Kean University

 

 

 

 

StoryCorps: The September 11th Initiative
Thursday, March 2, 2017, 7:00 pm
9/11 Memorial Museum

 

For the past decade, StoryCorps and the 9/11 Memorial Museum have recorded powerful stories about people killed in the attacks on September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. StoryCorps founder Dave Isay reflects on the importance of this endeavor and how it fits into the human tradition of storytelling

 

RSVP Online at 911memorial.org/programs

Programs are free unless otherwise specified. Program tickets do not include Museum access unless otherwise specified.

 

 

 

Always Remember

 

The Heroes of 9/11

 

Since the beginning of 2017, ten brave responders have perished from their exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks.  We remember their heroism and remain indebted to their selfless efforts:

 

FF Kevin Rooney, FDNY

FF Brian Masterson, FDNY

Lt. John Rowland, NYPD

FF Robert F DiGiovanni, FDNY

DC James G Molloy, NYPD/ESU

Lt. EMT Edith E Torres, FDNY

FF Robert Newman, FDNY

Det. Christian Lindsay, NYPD/ESU

EMT Rose Scott, FDNY

Det. Mark Mkwanazi, NYPD

 

Each September, the names of those responders who have lost their battle to 9/11-related illnesses are added to the Wall of Honor at the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park in Nesconset, NY. These ten brave heroes, along with 55 others who have died since September 2016, will be added to the wall, joining more than 800 others. Along with those who perished on 9/11, we will Always Remember their precious lives.

 

 

February 26, 1993

 

We remember those who lost their lives in the
1993 World Trade Center bombing:

 

John DiGiovani

Robert Kirkpatrick

Stephen A. Knapp

William Macko

Wilfredo Mercado

Monica Rodriguez Smith and her unborn child

 

On February 26, 1993, six individuals and an unborn child lost their lives when the World Trade Center was bombed. We remember them and their families, who hold their memories dear.  We invite you to visit their Living Memorial Tributes to learn about their lives.

 

If you are related to one of the victims of the 1993 bombing and would like to include additional photographs on your loved one's Living Memorial page, please contact us at (203) 966-3911.

 

 

 

Newsworthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Resilience Together

 

Each week, VOICES hears from those we are proud to work with and provide support services to. Here is a note we received shortly after the holidays from one of our generous donors:

 

 

VOICES relies on donations, sponsors, and grants to provide funding for our work.