Hundreds of first responders, relatives of 9/11 victims, and future firefighters embarked on a 343-mile cycling journey from Boston to Ground Zero on Sunday.
This inaugural 9/11 First Responder Ride for Resilience is dedicated to the memory of department heroes who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and to the survivors who continue to contend with illnesses, injuries, and the psychological toll of their service. Organizers highlighted the commitment of first responders who "run in when everyone else is running out."
"Being a firefighter is the brotherhood, the togetherness. ... It’s about taking care of our own," said John Corcoran, a participant, 40-year department veteran, and 9/11 first responder who currently serves as FDNY Manhattan Borough Commander. "This ride is another way for us to stand together to make sure our brothers and sisters are never forgotten or left behind."
Nearly 200 individuals are participating in the five-day event, which is scheduled to conclude with an arrival at Ground Zero on Thursday. The ride was organized by Friends of Firefighters, a non-profit established after 9/11 that provides free mental health counseling for the FDNY, in collaboration with Livestrong.
A report from the World Trade Center Health Program released last week indicated that approximately 14% of firefighters and EMS providers continue to experience depression, while another 6% suffer from PTSD.
This marks the third annual cycling fundraiser hosted by Friends of Firefighters, with the previous two taking place in Ireland alongside Irish firefighters. Nancy Carbone, founder and executive director of Friends of Firefighters, noted the positive impact of these rides, describing them as cathartic and helpful for participants' mental well-being, though not formal counseling sessions. Participants share experiences, which aids in processing trauma.
The cyclists include individuals who were first responders on "The Pile" 25 years ago, their surviving family members, firefighters from other cities, and the next generation of FDNY members. Dan Reeves of Engine 80 in Harlem, who joined the FDNY in 2022, called the experience "surreal" to ride alongside those who were present on 9/11.
"These guys did the same thing that I do every day — they come into work, they have coffee, they talk with their friends. And then the [fire bell] go off, and you go somewhere. They went to they went somewhere, and they never came back," Reeves said, reflecting on fallen FDNY victims from 9/11. He added that a five-day bike ride is a small sacrifice in honor of their service and to support those still struggling with 9/11-related illnesses.
To date, $750,000 has been raised. Half of the funds will support local and national resources for firefighters, including the Friends of Firefighters' free counseling services, which saw session numbers more than double to 5,000 last year and are expected to continue increasing. The other half will be allocated by Livestrong to develop specialized cancer navigation guidebooks specifically for first responders.
According to Livestrong, firefighters and first responders are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from it compared to the general population. Suzanne Stone, president and CEO of Livestrong, emphasized the unique challenges faced by first responders and the necessity of tailored resources that consider their work, lifestyle, and the impact on their families. "These are the men and women who are so brave, and they show up for us every day, and now it’s time for us to show up to them," Stone stated.