The Freedom Tower

The whole question of first responders and residents afflicted by life threatening diseases since the 9/11 World Trade Center attack will be looked at more closely by six philanthropies.
The New York Times reports the six charities have joined the Times’ “Neediest Cases Fund to create a “9/11 Neediest Medical campaign. The fund already has $4 million and will be used to provide treatment for uninsured workers and residents of lower Manhattan who feel they suffer from ailments related to poor air quality in the neighborhood.
Part of the endowment will come from a medical group headed by Mt. Sinai Medical Center to treat uninsured first responders who were on rescue, recovery and clean up duties at the World Trade Center. The New York Community Trust will contribute $1 million for medical screening for uninsured clean up workers. The Ford Foundation and George Soros’ Open Society Institute have each contributed $1 million to support the Sept. 11 work at the two hospitals.
“We know that this campaign can meet only a fraction of the need,” said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundationn told the Times. “Mayor Bloomberg estimates the cost at nearly $400 million a year for years – something that will require concerted city, state and federal action. But in the interim, we hope this campaign can, starting immediately, help save lives and allay suffering. We invite the public and other philanthropies to join with us.”