John Feal’s New Memoir Calls Out Ongoing 9/11 Health Struggles and Policy Threats

John Feal’s newly published memoir chronicles his volunteer work at Ground Zero, the accident that crushed his foot, and the wave of illnesses that later afflicted many responders. In 2005 he launched the FealGood Foundation, which has since helped families with medical appointments, bills, and funeral costs. His persistent lobbying was instrumental in establishing and repeatedly renewing the World Trade Center Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund, expanding the list of covered conditions to include cancers such as uterine cancer.

The author, a former Lower Manhattan resident, reveals her own uterine cancer diagnosis, which officials tied to dust exposure from the attacks. She connects her experience to Feal’s advocacy, highlighting recent efforts by the Trump administration to slash program staff and delay research, some of which were overturned after bipartisan pressure. The memoir underscores that the health repercussions of September 11 remain unresolved and that vigilance is needed to protect the benefits earned by survivors.