Source: Fox News
Introduction
Twenty-five years after the terror attacks on September 11, the legacy of that day remains etched into the life of Ken Tregellas, a former Salvation Army responder. Despite the profound physical toll of his service at Ground Zero, including a harrowing battle with cancer, Tregellas maintains that his decision to assist in the recovery efforts was an honorable sacrifice he would make again without hesitation.
The story of this Salvation Army responder opens up on his 9/11 cancer battle and the pivotal phone call that forever altered his life path. As the nation commemorates the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, his account serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring health consequences faced by those who rushed into the ruins of Lower Manhattan to provide aid.
What Happened
Tregellas was at home in Wisconsin preparing his children for school when news of the attacks broke. After witnessing the North Tower collapse on television, the reality of the situation solidified when United Flight 175 struck the second tower. A veteran of The Salvation Army’s emergency assistance programs, he received a life-changing call shortly thereafter, requesting his deployment to serve as the Red Zone coordinator at Ground Zero.
Upon arriving in New York City, he encountered a landscape defined by smoldering debris and twisted metal. Tasked with overseeing the organization’s ground operations, he managed a relief effort centered on six tents designed to provide food, shelter, and emotional support to recovery workers. These responders often arrived with their boots melted from the intense heat of the site, finding a brief sanctuary in the care provided by the Salvation Army team.
Background
The Salvation Army’s mission at the site extended far beyond the distribution of basic necessities. Volunteers offered around-the-clock spiritual support and counseling to workers navigating the gruesome reality of the recovery phase. Tregellas recalls the profound diversity of individuals he encountered, including families from across the globe who traveled to New York in a desperate search for information regarding their missing loved ones.
The emotional weight of the experience followed Tregellas long after he left New York. He found that his perspective on disaster relief had shifted significantly, as he struggled to process the scale of loss at Ground Zero compared to the property-focused recovery efforts of subsequent natural disasters. He often found himself grappling with an internal conflict, noting that while the loss of a home is devastating, it did not compare to the tragic loss of human life he witnessed in 2001.
Timeline and Statistical Impact
| Category | Data/Detail |
|---|---|
| Cancer Certifications (2015) | 3,204 |
| Cancer Certifications (2026) | 57,044 |
| Common Cancer Type | Non-melanoma skin cancer (18,400+ cases) |
| Rare Cancer Type (Lymphoma) | Approx. 2,500 cases |
| Total Reported Cancer Types | More than 69 |
Key Details
Ten years following his service at the site, Tregellas began experiencing difficulty swallowing, which led to a diagnosis of stage 4 mantle B-cell lymphoma. The treatment path was grueling, involving eight months of chemotherapy, hospital stays, and a stem cell transplant. Although the cancer eventually returned in his other tonsil, a subsequent treatment regimen using ibrutinib proved successful.
Tregellas remained on the medication until February of this year and is currently in remission. His recovery was supported by the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, which provides assistance to those suffering from illnesses linked to exposure at Ground Zero. His experience is part of a broader health crisis, with the number of certified 9/11-related cancer cases rising significantly over the last decade.
Impact
The long-term health consequences for 9/11 responders and survivors remain a critical issue, as evidenced by the sharp increase in medical certifications. The medical community continues to study the links between the toxic environment at the site and subsequent health complications, including accelerated aging and various forms of cancer. For survivors like Tregellas, the physical scars serve as a permanent connection to the events of that Tuesday morning.
What Happens Next
Tregellas continues to advocate for the importance of historical remembrance, frequently speaking to students who were born long after the towers fell. He views these interactions as vital to ensuring that the lessons of unity and collective action are not forgotten. As the 25th anniversary arrives, he focuses on the spirit of solidarity that emerged from the tragedy, emphasizing that the strength displayed by those who served remains a testament to what can be achieved when people work together.
