To Merrill Lynch Colleagues as of 9/11/01 to 5/31/2002 — Deadline to register claims is with the Victims Compensation Fund is JULY 29TH 2021 — Don’t DELAY DO IT TODAY.

It is 19 years since 9/11 but for many the after effects have been as devastating as the day was. The occurrence of cancers and other respiratory diseases for over 10,000 people verified to have been around the attack sites from 9/12/2001 to 5/31/2002 has now been established.

Like many of you we have assumed that we were not impacted by our various trips back into NY after 9/11 or being there on the day; but the number of people impacted has made me rethink my position, and I am reaching out to encourage you to do the same

1. Protect your rights and register.
2. Understand if you are “High Risk” and if so get regular screening for the different kinds of cancers prevalent. Your PCP can classify your risk level once you are registered and can prescribe the appropriate screening.

If you need help verifying your presence in NYC between the ascribed dates and you have tried your friends, colleagues et al. don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help to andybrown63@gmail.com. I picked out some key points for you to consider from the Policies & Procedures Manual. It is worth going to this link and reading the manual. You’ll learn a lot by doing this…

• You must Register your claim by the July 29, 2021. Registration preserves your right to file a claim in the future. By registering with the VCF, you do not waive any legal rights, and there is no obligation to file a claim in the future. To register with the VCF you must do one of the following:
•  Use the online system to submit your Registration Form.
•  Call the VCF Helpline at 1–855–885–1555 to register by phone.
• Show that you were present at one of the attack sites, within the New York City Exposure Zone, or along the routes of debris removal at some point during the period beginning September 11, 2001, through May 30, 2002.

Hard Copy Claim Forms

If you cannot file online because you do not have reliable access to the Internet, you can choose one of the following options to receive and complete the claim form:

• Download the PDF fillable version of the claim form, complete it using your computer, then print and mail it to the VCF.
• Print the PDF version of the claim form, complete it by hand, then mail it to the VCF.
• Request a hard copy form be mailed to you by calling the toll free Helpline at 1–855–885–1555.

If anyone needs help establishing their presence in NYC after 9/11 please reach out to me and I will do what I can to help connect the dots. (It’s not easy so won’t be an instant answer, but there are a number of online groups who can help).