The American Lung Association of New York
Response to September 11th
When the World Trade Center towers
collapsed on September 11, an estimated two million tons of debris were
generated and released into the air.
The debris created a cloud of finely pulverized concrete, gypsum, glass
and other materials, as well as soot from smoldering fires that has literally
coated the downtown area, including the homes of residents.
In response to this overwhelming
need for respiratory care following the attacks, the American Lung Association
of New York established the 9-11
RESPIRATORY ASSISTANCE FUND. Through the support of the
American Lung Association family, individuals and corporate supporters, this
Fund has enabled the ALA of New York to establish two important campaigns to
help meet the financial, educational and research needs of a community besieged
with lung health concerns.
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The 9-11 Respiratory Assistance Fund
for New Yorkers -- Through a partnership with the Visiting Nurse
Services of New York City, this Fund provides financial assistance to anyone
who does not have medical coverage and who has been prescribed oxygen,
respiratory equipment or supplies, or medication to treat respiratory illnesses
resulting from the disaster. Payments
are limited to the funds available with a maximum of $1,000 per qualified
patient.
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Operation Return Home –
Launched on September 26 with the support of the NYC Department of Health, Operation
Return Home is a community outreach program to help residents return to their
homes by providing lung health kits with information and resources to minimize
the stress and risks associated with re-entry.
Staff and volunteers distributed air quality information, tips for
cleaning up, resources, such as dust masks and latex gloves, and equipment,
including air purifiers and HEPA vacuums, to the residential areas most
affected by the disaster.
More than $115,000
was raised for ALANY’s Respiratory Assistance Fund.
At this time, these
funds are enabling the following services:
The Visiting Nurse Services of NYC
provides financial aid to qualified Manhattan residents
for the cost of pulmonary services and related
support.
5,000 “Re-entry” Lung Health Kits distributed to the residents near
Ground Zero.
More than 70 volunteers, including teams from the NYC
Department of Health, the national ALA office, KPMG and GlaxoSmithKline joined
the ALA of New York staff and volunteers to assemble “re-entry” kits and
distribute them to the community.
2,000
Whirlpool Air Purifiers and 200 Eureka HEPA Vacuums distributed to day care centers, schools, and residential
buildings in the affected zone.
Environmental air quality concerns
& related needs monitored by ALANY staff & volunteers.
5,000+
literature packets and clean up checklists distributed to neighborhood pharmacies, grocery stores, and
health clubs near Ground Zero.
More than 5,000 dust masks and 200 respirator mask filters donated to
the rescue workers at the World Trade Center site.
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