Any mention of the devastating terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 instantly brings to mind the loss of 2,996 victims in lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and in a grassy field outside Shanksville, PA. However, it is equally important to bear in mind that the number of deaths attributable to that terrible day in U.S. history continues to climb due to an increase in 9/11-related illnesses among that day’s first responders.
This fact has tragically been driven home once again by the untimely death of a young NYPD officer who did not hesitate to jump into the action nearly 17 years ago. Kelly Korchak was just 38 years old when she died in June of 9/11-related cancer, mere months after giving birth to her only son, Luke.
Devastating diagnosis, selfless perseverance
In October 2016, Korchak, a resident of Eltingville, NY, returned home after a day of work to find severe swelling on one of her legs. Subsequent medical testing revealed a pair of blood clots, one of which had already burst.
A chest x-ray taken at that time revealed something far more profound: spots all over her lungs that were indicative of primary peritoneal cancer.
What made this diagnosis especially catastrophic was the fact that Korchak was in her third trimester of pregnancy at the time. In order to allow the baby’s lungs more time to develop, the mother-to-be declined an early delivery, ultimately undergoing chemotherapy after his birth.
Korchak died on June 10 of the cancer, which is believed to be traceable to her work in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Commitment to service led to police career
Though she had long dreamed of becoming a teacher, difficulty finding full-time work in the education field led Korchak to register for the police examination. According to her mother, law enforcement work turned out to be her true calling after all.
“She took to it and she had good instincts,” her mother said. “She was good at reading people. She was meant to be a cop.”
Eventually serving 16 years on the job, Korchak developed a reputation for having particularly keen instincts and abilities, receiving the “Cop of the Month” award on multiple occasions. She was credited with a key role in halting a burglary ring in 2012 that targeted victims of Asian descent.
Two weeks at Ground Zero
Korchak was attending the police academy when terrorist attackers crashed two airplanes into the World Trade Center towers. She was assigned to work onsite at Ground Zero for two weeks, assisting with traffic duty and helping utility workers get where they needed to go.
A diagnosis of primary peritoneal cancer is considered quite rare, and many suspect that Korchak’s was directly linked to the type of occupational exposure she received in the two weeks following Sept. 11. Prior to learning that she had the ultimately fatal disease, Korchak showed no symptoms of the illness, though her condition rapidly deteriorated in the months thereafter.
[show_poll poll_id=639]
Ongoing health concerns continue to plague 9/11 heroes
This young mother’s tragic story underscores the plight suffered by legions of forgotten victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s World Trade Center Health Program reports having registered well over 5,400 people with diagnoses of 9/11-related cancers, a number which is likely to be higher given that the CDC’s statistics only include those who have chosen to self-enroll.
Researchers have found that firefighters, rescue workers, police offers, and others who spent time at the World Trade Center site following 9/11 have a significantly elevated risk of developing certain types of cancers, particularly multiple myeloma. This is due to the aerosolized dust, toxic fumes, jet fuel, pulverized glass fibers, asbestos, diesel fuel combustion byproducts, and other carcinogens that many were exposed to.
Though the passage of time may serve to dull our memories of the deadliest attack ever launched on American soil, it is crucial that we don’t forget the suffering of those who continue to be affected by the tragedy. Korchak, and other heroes like her, will certainly be missed.
772 Responses
I agree with your opinion. From now on I will always support you.
Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make severely articles I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular submit amazing. Wonderful activity!|
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe all is existing on net?|
The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I truly believed you would probably have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.
Hi there, I want to subscribe for this web site to get latest updates, therefore where can i do it please help.|
very easy to understand explanation. fits me perfectly. from now on I will be your fan
I quite like looking through an article that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks!
Hi! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. Thank you!|
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the finest sites on the web. I am going to highly recommend this blog!|
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Many thanks for sharing!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing these details.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!|
Excellent post. I will be experiencing some of these issues as well..
Your way of explaining everything in this paragraph is truly fastidious, every one be capable of without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.|
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of info on your blog. Im really impressed by it.
What’s up, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this blog post. It was helpful. Keep on posting!|
your writing really helped me I know what steps to take.
You need to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the net. I most certainly will recommend this web site!|
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who was conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your website.
You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through anything like that before. So wonderful to find somebody with some genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
I got this website from my buddy who shared with me concerning this website and now this time I am visiting this website and reading very informative articles at this place.|
very easy to understand explanation. fits me perfectly. from now on I will be your fan
Great information. Lucky me I ran across your site by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve saved it for later!
I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!
bookmarked!!, I like your site!
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is wonderful, as well as the content!|
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
I will immediately clutch your rss feed as I can’t in finding your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.|
Hurrah! Finally I got a webpage from where I know how to truly obtain helpful data concerning my study and knowledge.|
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
Your style is very unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this blog.|
Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I’ll send this article to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!|
May I simply just say what a relief to discover somebody that actually knows what they are talking about on the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people really need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular given that you certainly possess the gift.
Great site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get opinions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!|
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I am in fact glad to read this webpage posts which includes plenty of helpful information, thanks for providing these kinds of information.|
It’s difficult to find experienced people about this topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks