U.S. Department of Justice representatives will be present at a Town Hall Meeting at the Gila County Courthouse Board of Supervisors Room on March 13th, beginning at Noon. These representatives will be available to answer questions, provide details on benefits, & discuss how to obtain appropriate proof of residency &/or identification records.
The Downwinder Fund was set up to compensate those individuals who contract certain forms of cancer because they lived in Gila County when various U.S. Government testing was done. If you, or a family member, have had cancer & lived in Gila County for 24 months cumulatively or consecutively between Jan. 21st, 1951 & Oct. 31st, 1958 or during the entire month of June 30th, 1962 through July 31st, 1962, you may be eligible to make a claim for benefits. You must be able to: (1) provide personal identification; (2) prove that you lived in Gila County during one of the aforementioned time periods; & (3) provide certain medical records. Other Arizona counties including Apache, Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai & the area north of the Grand Canyon are included in the covered area as are several counties in Utah & Nevada.
Gila County Supervisor Shirley Dawson urges those interested in Downwinder Fund benefits to attend this meeting or contact her office at (928) 402-8511 for assistance.