Luis Alvarez dead: NYPD first respondent detective who fought for funding for 9/11 related illnesses dies from cancer battle as questions are asked about his death and care.
A former U.S. Marine and bomb-squad detective for the New York Police Department, who was one of the first respondents at 9/11 and who was diagnosed with a 9/11-linked cancer in 2016 has died according to the man’s family.
Luiz Alvarez’s death comes weeks after the 53 year old former NYPD officer testified before lawmakers with comedian Jon Stewart.
During his appearance, alongside other 9/11 respondents and cancer sufferers, the embittered detective who was dealing with the health strains of 9/11 illness and cancer implored lawmakers to permanently extend the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund Bill, so his fellow first responders could get the health coverage they needed.
Luis Alvarez dead: ‘Our warrior has gone home o our Good Lord.’
Alvarez’s family announced his death in a Facebook post on Saturday: ‘It is with peace and comfort, that the Alvarez family announce that Luis (Lou) Alvarez, our warrior, has gone home to our Good Lord in heaven today,’ they posted.
‘Please remember his words, ‘Please take care of yourselves and each other.’ We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle,’ his family continued. ‘He was at peace with that, surrounded by family.’
The NYPD’s chief of detectives also paid tribute to Alvarez on Saturday morning, tweeting, ‘An inspiration, a warrior, a friend —we will carry his sword.’
Luiz Alvarez’s fight for recognition of the needs of city workers in service to the nation:
Shortly after he appeared before Congress with Stewart to push for reauthorizing funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Alvarez was placed in hospice care when doctors discovered his liver had completely shut down, he revealed in a Facebook post on June 19.
‘So now I’m resting and I’m at peace. I will continue to fight until the Good Lord decides it’s time. I will try to do a few more interviews to keep a light on our fight for the VCF benefits we all justly deserve. Please take care of yourselves and each other,’ Alvarez wrote, adding, ‘Still here, still breathing, Still fighting.’
For three years, the 53-year-old had battled colorectal cancer, undergoing 69 rounds of chemotherapy and multiple operations to remove portions of his colon, gallbladder and liver.
Just days before his death, Alvarez gave a final interview from his hospice bed, where he recalled the day of the attacks and expressed frustration for himself and other first responders who have been diagnosed with a collection of cancers tied to exposure to the carcinogens — such as jet fuel, mercury and 400 tons of asbestos — that were released into New York City’s air during the collapse of the towers.
‘9/11 happened, we got called down. It’s my job as an NYPD detective to respond to emergencies,’ he told Fox News. ‘So no hesitation. I’m no one special and I did what all the other guys did. Now we are paying the price for it.’
Like before, Alvarez emphasized the importance of having health care.
‘You need to be covered,’ he told Fox News. ‘I’m lucky to have the health care that I’ve got, but there are guys out there who don’t have it. In terms of going through the stress of fighting cancer, they’re also fighting the financial stress of the health care. It’s not right. We served our city, our state, our country, and we should be compensated for it. Not compensated in the sense that we want to be rich. We just want the money to be there for our families.’
‘You need to be covered,’ he told Fox News. ‘I’m lucky to have the health care that I’ve got, but there are guys out there who don’t have it. In terms of going through the stress of fighting cancer, they’re also fighting the financial stress of the health care. It’s not right. We served our city, our state, our country, and we should be compensated for it. Not compensated in the sense that we want to be rich. We just want the money to be there for our families.’
Luis Alvarez dies a hero:
Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised a vote on a bill to extend the benefits — after a group of Alvarez’s colleagues went to McConnell’s office and presented him with the dying detective’s badge.
Because America never really cares about those who fights on its behalf until the camera man is focusing on the crocodile tears of politicians. Expendable and discardable ….other people’s parents, sons, daughters and nephews- never mine or yours, until it is.
#USA have spent over US$ 2 Trillions over wars post #Sep911 attacks but have failed miserably helping victims like #LuizAlvarez..they have asked only for a few billions compared to the trillions spent on war!! https://t.co/HeETwSU1A0
— Current Affairs (@CurrentAffair99) June 29, 2019
Luis Alvarez died, he was a hero who sacrificed all to help his community and his country. We as a country failed him and the 9-11 responders. Luis- I am sorry, to the First Responders of 9-11- I am sorry. You deserve better. #luizalvarez
— Andrea Mak (@AndreaMak42) June 29, 2019
I am quite frankly appalled that our lawmakers cannot agree on how we are going to continue funding 9/11 victims. I just watched Luiz Alvarez’s final plea, for this bill to be passed and it is heartbreaking. This should NOT be a debate. 95,000 is an estimation of people being ill
— Sharon Horn (@SharonH12163835) June 21, 2019
