Changes are coming to a memorial dedicated to first responders from Staten Island who died from September 11th-related illnesses.
Earlier this month, NY1 told the story of Staten Island's September 11th first responder memorial, a monument that some families of sickened first responders pushed for years to build.
The $200,000 wall was erected at taxpayer expense in 2014, but no names were ever added to the marble slabs, as was expected, according to a design approved by several island elected officials and at least one family of a police officer who died of a September 11th-related cancer.
The city's Economic Development Corporation claims it could not compile an accurate list of names. It also said two families declined to have their relatives memorialized, so officials decided not to etch any names in the wall.
That decision angered many families, including Deborah Thompson.
Thompson attended several meetings about the memorial after her police officer son, Ned, died of cancer.
Bryan Ellicott, the son of a paramedic who died of a September 11th-related cancer, was also profiled in the NY1 report and wrote a letter to the EDC urging them to add names to the memorial in honor of the 15th anniversary of the attacks.
Now, Staten Island Borough President James Oddo tells NY1 exclusively that that will happen, much to the relief of Thompson.
"We are so grateful, and I know this wouldn't have happened if you didn't do this and investigate the way you did, trying to get people to answer you. It's like the best news," Thompson said.
The borough president says, "The de Blasio Administration and our team at Borough Hall are committed to getting in a room, along with any other appropriate individuals or groups, and working together to accurately identify those Staten Islanders who have succumbed to illnesses resulting from their presence at Ground Zero. We will work to ensure that their names will be added to the existing first responder memorial and look forward to an ongoing conversation with the Staten Island community."
This, of course, couldn't have happened at a better time for these families, as many say they are still reeling from the 15th anniversary of the attacks commemorated Sunday.