Sisters urge those exposed to Chernobyl radiation to get cancer checks

<p>Two Long Island sisters, who were exposed to radiation at Chernobyl, are urging others exposed to get checked for various types of cancer.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 23, 2018, 6:54 PM

Updated 2,205 days ago

Share:

Two Long Island sisters who were exposed to radiation at Chernobyl in 1986 are urging others exposed to get checked for various types of cancer.
In 1986, Rebecca Sanders and Jennifer Fogarty were in western Germany with their father, who was in the military when Chernobyl exploded. Both were exposed to radiation.  
The sisters want to get the word out that those who were exposed to radiation in 1986 should still be checked.
Sanders is now fighting stage 4 bladder cancer and Fogarty has thyroid disease.
Fogarty says that the military did not alert people who lived there at the time of the accident.
"They did not tell us anything for 10 days, and then after that it was martial law for 30 days where we had to stay inside. We could still go to school, and then after the 30 days, we were cleared to be outside and we were told we would be OK and we're not," says Sanders.
Fogarty says she and her sister want everyone to know that if they were in western Europe in 1986 when Chernobyl exploded, they are at very high risk of thyroid and or bladder cancer.  She says that both are curable, but people need to get checked and treated.
Fogarty says there are many studies done in Germany that show a link between the Chernobyl incident and people getting sick.
Thursday marks the 32nd anniversary of Chernobyl, the world's worst nuclear accident.


More from News 12
1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

1:30
Cloudy, muggy conditions today before possible wet weather during the week in Hudson Valley

Cloudy, muggy conditions today before possible wet weather during the week in Hudson Valley

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Tuckahoe Village Board to hear Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board to hear Ward House appeal

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

3:17
SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors

SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors

1:22
Protesters voice outrage over handling of student encampment at SUNY New Paltz

Protesters voice outrage over handling of student encampment at SUNY New Paltz

1:40
Yonkers Arts Weekend marks its 10th year of exhibits and performances

Yonkers Arts Weekend marks its 10th year of exhibits and performances

1:57
Delicious dish: Top Westchester restaurant prepares for Cinco de Mayo

Delicious dish: Top Westchester restaurant prepares for Cinco de Mayo