9/11 Rescue Volunteer Hoping for Witnesses to Come Forward

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thousands of rescue workers ended up with medical problems from their work in the debris and dangerous dust filled mess of Ground Zero, and now many of them need proof in order to help cover mounting medical bills.

For years, numerous rescue workers have been searching for proof of their work in order to qualify for compensation. Lou Angeli who helped with rescue efforts in the days after September 11, 2001 said no one was thinking about that at the time.

"It wasn't the appropriate thing to do. In retrospect, everyone should have taken pictures of themselves. We were all focused on doing the right thing. We were there to save lives, and recover loved ones," Angeli said.

Angeli is also a filmmaker who was asked by authorities to help document what he could. Now, volunteers from 9/11 have come to him to see if he caught any of them on video or in pictures.

In early March, Angeli spotted a request on Facebook from Reggie Cervantes of Oklahoma. Cervantes had posted a note on the Internet to see if anyone had any documentation of her working that day.

"I have C.O.P.D, Pulmonary Fibrosis which kills people, chronic asthma, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, neurological problems, and post traumatic stress disorder," Cervantes said.

The health problems came after breathing in the polluted air caused by the aftermath of September 11.

"We didn't think about how the jet fuel or other potential toxins could affect us. We just knew we needed to be there. We needed to get them out. We needed to get them all out," Cervantes said.

Angeli contacted Cervantes saying he believed he had video of Cervantes. The video arrived on Friday. Cervantes watched it with anticipation but was left with disappointment.

"That's not me, but that's OK," Cervantes said through tears. "It's out there, and I'll find it. It will take a while. I'll find it."

Cervantes said she's looking for any photo, video, or eyewitness account. The cost of her medical bills is so overwhelming, that she is now being forced to sell her home.

Angeli's video is part of a documentary, called "Answering the Call," about the volunteers who worked at Ground Zero. The documentary will be released in its entirety on the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attack.