Fox News correspondent Eric Shawn reveals his cancer diagnosis linked to exposure from 9/11 toxic dust during a live report on the 24th anniversary of the attacks.
Fox News correspondent Eric Shawn has disclosed that he was diagnosed with cancer this year as a result of exposure to toxic dust from the September 11 attacks. His revelation came during a live segment on “Fox & Friends” commemorating the 24th anniversary of the tragic events.
Reporting from Lower Manhattan, where survivors, families, first responders, and public officials gathered to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, Shawn shared his personal battle with 9/11-related cancer. “I have two different diagnoses under the World Trade Center Program,” he stated, referring to the federal initiative that provides monitoring and treatment for those affected by the attacks in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Shawn remarked, “It is hard to believe that it has been nearly a quarter of a century since that day, when radical Islamic terrorism attacked the very heart of our city and our country.” He emphasized that the ideology behind the attacks continues to pose a threat to the nation’s values and freedoms.
Shawn highlighted the ongoing tragedy stemming from the attacks, noting that while 2,977 people were killed on September 11, the number of individuals who have died from 9/11-related illnesses continues to rise due to the toxic dust released during the attacks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 48,000 people have reported 9/11-related cancers, with nearly 10,000 new diagnoses occurring in the past year alone.
Since the attacks, more than 3,700 first responders have died, including 2,300 who succumbed to cancer. The Fire Department of the City of New York has been particularly affected, with 409 of its members lost to post-9/11 illnesses.
For Shawn, these statistics resonate deeply, as he grapples with both respiratory issues and cancer linked to the attacks. However, he considers himself fortunate. “I think of all those who were killed that day and those who continue to suffer because of that philosophy — that is not diminished,” he said. “We have to condemn it. We have to despise it. You will never forget.”
Shawn also pointed out that the health impacts extend beyond first responders. “If you were below Canal Street, basically, you were exposed to the dust. I was here reporting on it. That’s what happened with me. I mean, I’m very, very lucky. I think of all those who are suffering much greater … I’ve lost a few friends from this, of course.”
His own diagnosis came years later, first manifesting as a bronchitis-related respiratory issue, followed by a cancer diagnosis this year. “Back then, I remember thinking, maybe in 20, 30 years later I’ll get something. Well, here it is, 24 years,” he reflected.
In closing, Shawn emphasized the importance of national unity in the face of such tragedies. “We’re all in this together. I mean, we are,” he stated. “We are all in it together.”
Source: Original article