Service, Sacrifice, and Solidarity: Honoring Peter’s Story

“I was a New York City Union Laborer during the 9/11 attacks. We were the guys down there working in that smoke-infested pile of rubble trying to clean it up. I kept at it for a few years after, but the PTSD made it hard to even be in Manhattan.

Medically, things changed at the 15-year mark. I started to get sick—bladder cancer, kidney cancer, spots on my lungs. I just kept getting sick. I wanted to work, I wanted to support my family, but I couldn’t.

When I realized it was cancer, the support I received was life-changing. I’m grateful that most of the medical bills were covered, and I got a big chunk of money that helped us out when we were broke.

Everybody really stepped up to the plate, but I think we need to stand up more. We need to get together as construction workers to take care of each other. We’re the ones who cleaned up the city, and we need to stick up for ourselves big time.”

Our client, Peter, shared his story with us in 2020. He passed away in 2022. Today, on World Kidney Day, we honor his memory. His message was clear: We must advocate for one another. No one in the 9/11 community should have to fight these battles alone.