Diagnosis and Medical Treatment
Sonntag received her official cancer diagnosis in December, nearly two decades after she assisted emergency services in New York City. According to her statements in the source coverage, the first identifiable symptoms emerged in 2011, kicking off a 15-year period of chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. She noted that medical professionals in New York initially failed to detect the malignancy.
Following the diagnosis, surgeons performed an invasive compartmentectomy at a hospital. The procedure involved removing a large tumor that extended from her pelvis to her navel, which had already spread to several internal organs, her left psoas muscle, and surrounding tissues. The World Trade Center Health Program has officially certified her condition as 9/11-related.
Ground Zero Volunteer Work on Sept. 11
On the morning of the attacks, Sonntag navigated through crowds evacuating lower Manhattan to reach emergency responders. Police officers directed her to a temporary triage center established at Chelsea Piers. With a background in tree planting and local wildfire response in Fernie, B.C., along with advanced first-aid training, she stepped in to assist medical staff.
She later accompanied a team toward a field hospital set up in Liberty Plaza near Ground Zero. Due to unstable terrain, the ambulance portion of the trip transitioned to a walk through an environment she described as resembling a grey, lightless snowscape with air that severely irritated the lungs and skin. She recalled the central disaster area as eerily quiet and obstructed by dangerous, sharp rubble.
Broader Health Impacts on Responders
Sonntag’s experience reflects a wider pattern of illness among those present at the site. According to her accounts, half of the dozen individuals she worked with directly on the first day have since suffered significant health problems. She stated that neither the City of New York nor the U.S. government adequately warned workers and volunteers about the toxic air quality in the aftermath of the collapse.
She currently undergoes annual medical examinations through the World Trade Center Health Program and has submitted an application to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, a process expected to take at least another year. Despite the long-term health consequences, Sonntag stated that she feels no regret about volunteering, wishing only that she had arrived at the scene faster.
Did you know? The World Trade Center Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for certified illnesses to eligible rescue workers, recovery workers, and survivors of the 9/11 attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cancer was Patti Sonntag diagnosed with?
Sonntag was diagnosed with retroperitoneal liposarcoma, a rare and slow-growing cancer that forms in the fatty tissue of the abdomen.
Is her cancer recognized as being related to 9/11?
Yes, according to the World Trade Center Health Program, her condition has been officially certified as connected to the toxic exposure at Ground Zero.
What compensation programs are available for 9/11 survivors and responders?
Individuals with documented illnesses linked to the disaster can apply to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and receive medical care through the World Trade Center Health Program.