Overview

• Former NYPD Emergency Service Unit officer William Giammarino spent nearly five months at Ground Zero, and his 9/11 exposure progressed from a cough to COPD and end-stage lung failure.
• North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset performed his 12-hour double-lung transplant and operates Long Island’s only lung transplant program.
• One year after surgery, he thanked his medical team, reports walking 2–3 miles most days, and has not been re-hospitalized.
• His bills were covered through the World Trade Center Health Program, and Northwell’s program director reports 55,406 members certified for at least one respiratory condition.
• Program scale and transplant counts reported by outlets differ: ABC7 cites nearly 135,000 patients and 111 transplant approvals, CBS cites 140,000 participants and 111 approvals, and PIX11 reports 117 approvals.