A retired New York City Police detective who testified in front of Congress days ago and who is suffering from September 11-related liver cancer is now on hospice care.
Luis Alvarez announced Wednesday that doctors can't do anything more for him because his body is starting to shut down.
"Hello everyone, 'I'm still here and still fighting,'" Alvarez wrote on Facebook. "I just wanted to let you know, what is going on with me. Since you have been with me on this 3 year ride.
"I'm now in hospice, because there is nothing else the doctors can do to fight the cancer."
Alvarez, who was joined at his Congressional testimony on June 11 by former "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, went on to say that he was scheduled to have another round of chemotherapy — the 69th during his cancer battle — the day after he spoke in front of a House Judiciary Subcommittee.
"The day after my trip I was scheduled for chemo, but the nurse noticed I was disoriented. A few tests later they realized that my liver had completely shut down because of the tumors and wasn't cleaning out the toxins in my body and it was filling up with ammonia, hence the disorientation," he wrote.
"So now I'm resting and I'm at peace. I will continue to fight until the Good Lord decides it's time. I will try to do a few more interviews to keep a light on our fight for the VCF benefits we all justly deserve. Please take care of yourselves and each other.- God Bless-Lou."
Alvarez closed by writing, "Still here, still breathing, Still fighting."
Alvarez and other first responders to the 2001 terror attacks spoke in front of the subcommittee and appealed for the passage of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund bill, which will provide money for victims of the attacks until 2090 — which would ensure that all 9/11 victims would be covered during their lifetime.
Stewart is an advocate for 9/11 first responders' rights and has lobbied lawmakers several times on the issue. He made headlines during the aforementioned hearing by blasting committee members who were not in attendance to hear the stories of the "sick and dying" first responders.