Help Create a Social Media “Thunderclap” for 9/11 Responders and Survivors!

New York, NY – Today, Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act and 9/11 first responder and advocate John Feal announced a new social media campaign in partnership with Thunderclap to urge extending health care and compensation programs for injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors that will end next year unless Congress acts.

The advocates asked the 9/11 community and their friends and family members to sign up for a Thunderclap urging Washington to extend the 9/11 aid programs. On November 4th, Thunderclap will send out a message from the Facebook and Twitter accounts of all those who sign up – creating the maximum impact by spreading the same message, at the same time, from hundreds of 9/11 responders and their families.
Please click here to sign up. In addition, below is a message with more information that 9/11 responders and survivors can send to their friends and family to encourage them to sign up, too.

“The power of collective action got the Zadroga Act passed five years ago and we need to harness the power of social media to pass it this time around. I encourage you and your friends and family to join me in sending out a one-time message on Facebook and Twitter about the need to help ailing 9/11 responders and survivors. With your help, we’ll create a ‘Thunderclap’ that Washington won’t be able to ignore. My thanks go out to everyone at Thunderclap for their partnership and to Thomas Bowen, a 9/11 responder from West Virginia who helped put this together,” said Richard Alles, FDNY Deputy Chief and Board Member of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act.

“We cannot thank Thunderclap enough for joining our fight. The ability to reach a larger audience is key to getting this done. Thunderclap is now another tool we will use to ensure the passage and extension of the Zadroga Act,” said John Feal.

###

Sample message to friends and family:

At midnight on September 30, authorization for the program treating thousands of Americans with 9/11-related illnesses and injuries expired. The World Trade Center Health Program is “now officially on borrowed time” as one news organization put it — and our first responders, survivors and advocates continue to have to walk the halls of Congress urging support for a permanent extension of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

This is wrong.

Unless Congress acts, The World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical monitoring, health care and assistance to injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors, will shut down by next fall.

We need your help. On Wednesday, November 4, we’re launching a national social media campaign urging Americans to contact their representatives and ask them to sign on to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act. We need to ensure these programs are able to continue for as long as they are needed.

To participate, we’re asking you to join our “Thunderclap” — a tool that spreads one message at the same time across Facebook and Twitter.

Through the power of our collective voices, this message will automatically post at noon on Nov. 4th:
1 month ago Congress let #911health Act expire. Now it’s time for action. Tell your representatives: #renew911health http://thndr.me/9lLRd0
And the more people who join, the more messages we’ll see and the wider the reach our message will have.

To join our Thunderclap:

1. just click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/32742-9-11-responders-need-your-help

2. then click Support on Facebook or Support on Twitter

3. then click ADD MY SUPPORT.

It’s that easy!

And remember, Thunderclap will only post this approved message and will not have access to your accounts again.

Thanks for joining this effort!

###

Topline statistics on 9/11 health crisis:

85 NYPD officers have reportedly passed away from 9/11-related illnesses, more than died on 9/11 itself. Over 110 firefighters have reportedly died of 9/11 illnesses, as well.

4,166 9/11 responders and survivors have been diagnosed with cancers caused by 9/11 – and doctors say this number will grow significantly in years to come.

12,150 Injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors have been deemed eligible for compensation – but their aid would likely be cut in half unless Congress acts.

33,000 Americans are sick or injured because of the attacks – most have more than one injury or illness.

72,000 Americans will lose access to 9/11 medical monitoring or treatment if Congress allows the Zadroga Act to expire.