USA: A former NYPD officer, Bill Marino, is celebrating a miraculous transformation thanks to a life-saving double lung transplant. Having dedicated five months to the recovery efforts at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks, Bill became a casualty of that very service, developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from exposure to over 150 toxins at the site.
Two years after his brave efforts, the impacts of his service became painfully clear as breathing difficulties intensified. The once active father of two found himself dependent on oxygen, struggling to engage in everyday tasks like showering and dressing. His battle for breath culminated in a dire need for a double lung transplant, which he received just one year ago, coincidentally on the anniversary of the tragic events he had responded to.
Thanks to the selfless generosity of an organ donor, Bill’s life was rejuvenated. His struggle highlights the alarming statistics associated with respiratory diseases among responders, with nearly 55,000 members diagnosed since the attacks. The World Trade Center Health Program has been instrumental in supporting Bill’s recovery, offering him the medical care he desperately needed.
Now, Bill is breathing easier and cherishing every moment with his family. Doctors affirm that his new lungs are functioning impressively, restoring not only his breath but his ability to enjoy life anew. As he takes his first unassisted breath of the year on September 11, he reflects on the weight of sacrifice, resilience, and the power of transplantation to grant a second chance at life.
