President's Corner - July 2026
by Becky McCorry
It’s hard to believe that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were nearly 25 years ago. Some days, it feels like it was just yesterday; other times it feels like it was eons ago.
I was the New York State disaster lead for the Red Cross when the planes hit the World Trade Center, struck the Pentagon and crashed into the field in Shanksville, PA. But I saw that one of the worst days for our nation brought out the best in our nation as we helped with the response and the recovery.
And our work continues for you and the people who were part of the 9/11 response.
The American Red Cross Alumni Network (ARCAN) has been working to ensure that Red Cross staff and volunteers involved in the response and recovery efforts are aware of ongoing federal government programs to address health claims related to those efforts in New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania.
We hosted a webinar in June with leaders of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, a federal program set up to compensate people for health claims related to the response and recovery. They went through the three-step process for people to register with the fund, get their claims certified and then be compensated if eligible.
The Victims Compensation Fund has already received more than 109,000 claims and paid more than $17.8 billion to 74,000 claims.
Here’s the main point: If you were part of the response and recovery and on the scene, look into getting registered. Go to VCF.gov to learn more and register.
In addition, we are planning an ARCAN webinar looking back on the 9/11 attacks and the Red Cross efforts featuring key leaders in the response. Information on this session is below in this newsletter.
As our nation commemorates the 25th anniversary of the attacks in September, I will hold every Red Cross staff member and volunteer who was part of our work in my heart. Thank you for being there when we were needed.
September will have another big milestone, our first ARCAN in-person gathering in Philadelphia! This “3UNION” on September 25-27 is being held in partnership with the American Red Cross Overseas Association (ARCOA) and a group of former and current Red Cross disaster services staff and volunteers.
This gathering is open to both current and former American Red Cross employees and volunteers. More information on the event and registration is in this newsletter.
Join us to reconnect and reminisce, share stories and strengthen the bonds that have always made this network so special.
Becky
