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9/11 survivor who was twice buried in World Trade Center rubble to speak July 31 in Gouverneur

Posted 7/22/15

GOUVERNEUR -- A 9/11 survivor will speak as part of a fundraiser for the Health & Hope Mission 1 John 3:18, which operates a clinic here. Joseph Torillo, who survived being buried twice on Sept. …

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9/11 survivor who was twice buried in World Trade Center rubble to speak July 31 in Gouverneur

Posted

GOUVERNEUR -- A 9/11 survivor will speak as part of a fundraiser for the Health & Hope Mission 1 John 3:18, which operates a clinic here.

Joseph Torillo, who survived being buried twice on Sept. 11, 2001 while working to save lives after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, will speak at 7 p.m. on July 31 at the Gouverneur First United Methodist Church.

Tickets are $15 per person, or $10 for those who serve in our armed forces, emergency medical services and fire departments, all of which will be honored at the event. Advanced purchase of tickets is available at Mullins Restaurant and Casablanca in Gouverneur until the night of the event.

Torrillo is a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant who was on the ground at the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center working to evacuate people in danger. At about 10 a.m. that day, he was buried alive when the south tower collapsed, suffering a fractured skull, broken ribs, broken arm, crushed spine and heavy internal bleeding. After he was removed from the rubble, the North Tower fell and buried him again.

The Health and Hope Clinic is open 10-20 hours per month and has forged a partnership with two local hospitals for laboratory and imaging services as needed. Patients must be 18 years of age or older and have no health insurance. There are no income requirements and the services are free of charge. However, there is a limited availability to medications, which are provided to our patients in bulk as appropriate.

Many of those served are self-employed, seasonal workers, or recently unemployed. The clinic has served the Amish community and those who simply can't afford even the subsidized cost of employer or Affordable Care Act insurance.