Union ironworker dying with 9/11-related cancer

A local ironworker who risked his life at Ground Zero on 9/11 is now fighting for his life.

Kirk Hohensheldt is on hospice care, paying out of pocket after he was diagnosed with cancer. His family is pleading for help from the community he once served.

Kirk was a union ironworker and worked at Ground Zero after 9/11 to do clean-up. He worked directly on the pile.

While in hospice, his wife, Renee, is paying for his care out of pocket through his son’s college fund.

“I’m paying for this with our sons’ college fund. It’s just the way we have to do it, so he has a place to be treated for comfort at this point,” Renee said.

Kirk’s esophageal cancer has metastasized to his liver and other organs. This type of cancer is one that is consistent with 9/11 WTC first responders who so selflessly gave of themselves for months on end. His son, Kevin, is 15 now.

“It’s just my heart breaks because there’s things my son won’t experience with him. There’s no graduation with dad. My son is going to be 16, his dad was going to teach him how to drive and that’s not going to happen,” Renee said.

Renee says for emergency crews that responded to 9/11 that reside in New York, hospice room and board fees are paid for.

Kirk is located in the upstate area, so his room and board is not.

“The medical is covered by the Medicare and the WTC, but they don’t cover the room and board. The room and board is $350 a day that we pay out-of-pocket, Renee said.

She just wants to feel support from the community.

You can donate to Kirk’s hospice care at this link.