February 14 marks the first anniversary when we commemorate the precious lives that were taken at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. We remember: Alyssa Alhadeff, Martin Duque Anguiano, Scott Beigel, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup, and Peter Wang. Following this tragedy, we were inspired by the response of the Parkland families and students who mobilized so quickly to demand change.
February 12 marks the tenth anniversary when we remember VOICES co-founder Beverly Eckert and the other 49 individuals who perished when Continental Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York. Beverly was traveling to Buffalo to attend a ceremony at Canisius High School where she was awarding a scholarship in memory of her husband Sean who died on 9/11. On this tenth anniversary, we remember Beverly and all those lost on Flight 3407 and we thank their family members for their tireless efforts in improving airline safety for us all.
February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Cancer is prevalent among responders and survivors who were exposed to toxins in Lower Manhattan on 9/11, and in the days and months following the attacks. Currently, the World Trade Center Health Program is providing medical and mental health treatment for over 41,000 individuals and over 100 cancers have been classified as certified conditions.
As we begin the new year we would like to thank our donors and partners for your support in 2018! Thanks to your generosity Voices of September 11th continues our mission of providing critical support services and access to resources and mental health care for victims' families, survivors and responders.
It's not too late to consider beginning resolutions for 2019 that will have a positive impact on your mind and body! By setting realistic resolutions and taking small steps, you can improve both your physical and mental well-being! Consider keeping a daily journal to track your progress in working toward a goal, or even getting an extra hour of sleep. You can also cultivate the practice of mindfulness, which is the ability to live in the present moment. For more ideas on resolutions and for helpful resources, click here.