Dozens of Sept. 11 first responders were on Capitol Hill Thursday in an effort to get the Zadroga Act extended, reports WLNY.

Retired FDNY firefighter Ray Pfeifer, of Hicksville, was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cancer and the disease has spread to his bones. He continues to fight and credits the 9/11 James Zadroga Act for helping him to do so. The law provides 9/11 first responders who are sick with federal aid for their health care needs. Pfeifer says he would not be able to afford necessary treatments if the act were to expire.

Some of Pfeifer's fellow first responders testified in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They called for the law's extension, and painted a dire view of the future if Congress allows the legislation to expire in September 2016.