Security Officer Who Led 70th Floor Evacuation During 9/11 Plane Impact Seeks Kidney Donor After Cancer

9/11 Security Guard Derek Lavell Seeks kidney transplant After Cancer Battle

USA: Derek Lavell, the security officer who stayed at his post on the 70th floor of the South Tower on September 11 and guided people to safety, now faces a new, urgent fight — prostate and kidney cancer and a looming need for kidney transplantation. Lavell’s name is listed on the kidney transplant waiting list at SUNY Downstate as he pursues treatment that could preserve his health and extend his life.

On that morning two and a half decades ago, he remained at his station when the second plane struck, directing people toward the only stairwell that remained open. He survived severe upheaval in the tower and helped escort others down to safety, an experience that has become a defining chapter of his life. That same resolve has carried him through a diagnosis that emerged 25 years after the attacks.

Medical teams have recommended decisive treatment to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to other organs, and Lavell has proceeded with plans consistent with those goals. His case now centers on transplantation: he is awaiting a kidney transplant at SUNY Downstate to address renal failure related to his illness and its treatment. The transplantation pathway places him in a queue for a scarce resource and underscores the pressing need for donors and coordinated care.

Lavell hopes his story — marked by courage under catastrophe and persistence in the face of serious disease — will motivate others to support donation and the organ transplantation system. His situation highlights both the personal stakes of transplantation and the ongoing need for community solidarity to help people reach successful outcomes.

Video originally published on 2026-01-16 11:00:42