Not quite three weeks ago, retired NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez told members of Congress, “I’m here to make sure that you don’t forget” the plight of those sick from the September 11th terrorist attacks. He told them about his 68 chemotherapy sessions for his site-related cancer. He entered hospice days after his DC visit and died yesterday at 53, reports Kayla Epstein for the Washington Post.
Despite his own long struggle against colorectal and liver cancer, Luis Alvarez fought for the reauthorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund for other recovery workers.
He is survived by his wife and three sons, his parents, sister and brothers.
His family’s statement read, “It is with peace and comfort, that the Alvarez family announce that Luis (Lou) Alvarez, our warrior, has gone home to our Good Lord in heaven today. Please remember his words, ‘Please take care of yourselves and each other.’ We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle. He was at peace with that, surrounded by family.”
