BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Approximately 3,000 first responders in Western and Central New York are now eligible to receive cancer treatment at Roswell Park through the federal government's World Trade Center Health Program after Roswell Park was named a member of the provider network.
The program, which is run by the CDC, helps provide screening and treatment for first responders during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.
"It was a day of such heartbreak and devastation, but those brave emergency personnel put others first," Roswell Park CEO Dr. Candace Johnson said. "They left their families, homes, and jobs, to put their skills and hearts to work at ground zero."
Many of those first responders later developed health issues, including cancer. The CDC program, though, only offered limited accessibility to first responders. Many had to travel to outside of New York or to New York City for treatment.
Congressman Brian Higgins was among those who lobbied for Roswell Park to be in the network.
"Now that Roswell Park is a member of the national network of providers authorities to provide care to those enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, these heroic first responders right here can have the world-class cancer care they deserve right in their backyard," Higgins said.
The WTC Health Program is still accepting applications and processing certifications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
