9/11 Survivors: Wounds Still Fresh 25 Years Later | Update

Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, 9/11 survivors in the United States still live with the physical and emotional consequences every day. From Ground Zero responders battling cancer to families who lost loved ones on hijacked planes, the wounds remain fresh. As survivors like Stanley Praimnath, Gordon Felt, and Bill Hayes show, 9/11 is not just history—it is an ongoing reality.

The morning that changed everything

On the morning of September 11, 2001, commuters in New York rushed to catch trains into Manhattan, just as they did 25 years later. Stanley Praimnath, who worked for Fuji Bank on the 81st floor of the South Tower, was already at his desk when the first plane hit the North Tower. “I said: I am going home now,” he recalled. But a security guard told him the building was safe. Moments later, a second plane struck his tower. “The entire floor was torn to pieces, as if a giant wrecking ball had crashed through it,” he said. The September 11 attacks timeline shows how quickly ordinary routines turned into catastrophe.

Three stories of survival and loss

Stanley Praimnath: Escaping the South Tower

Stanley was one of the few people to escape from the impact zone. After his cries for help were heard by Brian Clark, who worked three floors above, the two men made their way down 1,620 stairs before the South Tower collapsed less than an hour after impact. In the years since, Stanley struggled with survivor's guilt—why did he live when so many colleagues died? He found an answer in faith, became a pastor, and survived leukemia diagnosed on September 11, 2020, plus a quadruple bypass. “My sister once said: ‘Stan, you have more lives than a cat.’ I said: ‘Cats get nine lives and eventually just die.’”

Gordon Felt: A brother lost on Flight 93

Gordon Felt learned of the attacks from a colleague and turned on the TV just as the second plane hit the South Tower. “Then we knew it was not an accident and that we were being attacked,” he said. His brother Edward was aboard United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back. Edward's 911 call from the plane's toilet—“There is a hijacking going on. Can you still hear me, sir? Hello?”—remains one of the last signs of life. “Wounds do not heal,” Gordon said. “And maybe we do not want them to heal. We do not want to forget what we lost. But Flight 93 is also a story of enormous courage, hope, and inspiration.”

Bill Hayes: Three days at Ground Zero

Firefighter Bill Hayes was already responding to a kitchen fire when he saw the Pentagon had been hit. He recorded a message for his wife before mobilizing. For three days he searched the rubble at what he calls “the pit”—Ground Zero—but found no survivors. He later developed cancer twice, which he says is related to his time at the World Trade Center. “I do not think I am a hero, but I worked with heroes,” he said. “I wish we could have saved more people. But we did everything humanly possible.”

The long-term health toll on 9/11 survivors

Beyond the emotional scars, the physical toll is staggering. According to the World Trade Center Health Program, rescue and recovery workers have an 11% higher overall cancer risk than the general population. Among WTC responders diagnosed with cancer, 86% are alive five years later, compared with 63% of unexposed New Yorkers. As of 2024, more than 132,000 people were enrolled in the program, and 4,257 currently have cancer certifications. PTSD and respiratory diseases remain widespread, though mental health symptoms have declined since the early post-9/11 period.

Why 9/11 remains an open wound

For Gordon Felt, the story of 9/11 must not be forgotten. “It is history we are still in the middle of today,” he said. “We carry this story in our hearts and on our shoulders. We will keep doing that as long as we can, but there will come a day when we are no longer here. Then others must pick up the story and carry it forward.” The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York stands as a physical reminder, but the living witnesses are dwindling. As the 25th anniversary passes, the urgency to preserve their stories grows.

FAQ

What are the most common long-term health effects for 9/11 survivors?

Cancer, chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and GERD, and mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression are the most common, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

How many people are enrolled in the 9/11 health program?

As of March 2024, total enrollment reached 132,530 members, including responders, recovery workers, and survivors who lived or worked in the NYC disaster area.

Do 9/11 responders have a higher cancer risk?

Yes, research shows rescue and recovery workers have an 11% higher overall cancer risk compared with the general population.

What happened to Flight 93?

United Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew fought back against the hijackers, preventing another attack on a target in Washington, D.C.