Naples man with cancer applies for 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund

Reporter: Sydney Persing
Published: Updated:
Scene from New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. (Credit: WINK News)
Scene from New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. (Credit: WINK News)

Kevin McCormick worked as the sanitation supervisor at Ground Zero for months after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Now, he is suffering from stage four colon and liver cancer while he is in the process of qualifying for the Victims Compensation Fund.

Ask McCormick about 9/11 and it nearly brings him to tears.

“When they took the firemen out, they were on stretchers,” McCorick said. “It was just their uniform and their helmet with the flag over them.”

McCormick was a supervisor for New York City’s Sanitation Dept. and he recites the months, 3, the days, 7, and the hours a day, 12, he worked following the horrifying attacks. He lived there in the rubble, which was filled with the ashy remains of the World Trade Center Towers.

Now, McCormick lives with stage four colon cancer, liver cancer, chronic asthma and sleep apnea. He is applying for the Victim’s Compensation Fund. He hopes the money can help his family after he dies.

If McCormick qualifies, it will take care of the medical expenses for the man who tried to help New York City heal.

Last month, McCormick said a friend shared a photo with him capturing a tragic moment in time. It is a small symbol of the lives lost and despite everything, McCormick said he would never regret his service.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.