An Ohio a man who was on a trip to San Diego had a life-changing experience cancer a diagnosis he believes is related to his work at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

Brian Smith, 50, suffered from a cough days before his Halloween trip California to visit his brothers. While there, he said his cough just got worse.

A trip to the emergency room revealed that Smith had stage 4 lung cancer, a shock for a man who said he had never smoked. The thought immediately went to his service.

“I believe there is a strong possibility that my diagnosis is related to the time I spent near Ground Zero,” Smith said. ABC 10 News San Diego.

Since 2001, more than 2,000 relief services in the weeks and months following the attacks on the Twin Towers died of diseases it is assumed to be related to their work.

“I believe there is a strong possibility that my diagnosis is related to the time I spent near Ground Zero,” Brian Smith, 50, told ABC 10 News San Diego

Since 2001, more than 2,000 aid workers in the weeks and months following the attacks on the Twin Towers have died from work-related illnesses.

Smith said he was traveling to San Diego to visit his brothers and that his cough continued to progress.

Two weeks later, he ended up in the hospital because of his symptoms.

“Also, weakness, lethargy and sudden weight loss,” Smith said.

After a series of tests, Smith was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which he said had already spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

“I was horrified. My whole world stopped on that,” Smith said.

“It was absolutely amazing. I’ve never smoked,” he told a San Diego station.

Without hesitation, the former first operator linked his diagnosis to his time at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks.

In 2001, Smith was an officer with the Federal Protective Service, the agency that protects federal buildings.

It was deployed from Washington, D.C., to New York after the attacks and patrolled an area just 10 blocks from Ground Zero.

“Also, weakness, lethargy and sudden weight loss,” Smith said of his symptoms that led to his diagnosis of stage 4 cancer

In 2001, Smith was an officer with the Federal Protective Service, the agency that protects federal buildings

Without hesitation, the former first responder linked his diagnosis to his time at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks

Smith was sent from Washington, D.C., to New York after the attacks and patrolled several buildings just 10 blocks from Ground Zero

“Your uniform can be covered in ash soot within a short period of time after your shift starts, and you’re breathing it all in,” Smith said.

In his interview with the San Diego TV channel, he described the situation at that time as terrible.

“Your uniform can be covered in ash soot within a short period of time after starting your shift, and you’re breathing it all in,” Smith said.

He said he worked for three months without PPE before leaving and volunteering to work in another field.

“I believe there is a strong possibility that my diagnosis is related to the time I spent near Ground Zero,” he told the publication.

In the description of a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of medical bills, he says he reached out to the World Trade Center registry to make a connection between his illness and his time at Ground Zero.

The World Trade Center Registry is an organization that researches the long-term health effects of those who lived and worked near Ground Zero after the attacks.

“Even with good health insurance, long-term care costs and day-to-day expenses quickly drained my savings and I am now unable to work,” the GoFundMe claims.

He has been assessed by a doctor, which is the first step in getting help from the Registry.

Smith hopes to raise $15,000 to cover his bills. As of March 28, the GoFundMe had raised just under $2,000

Smith was evaluated by a doctor, which is the first step in receiving benefits from the World Trade Center Registry

Many firefighters and police officers are known to have higher rates of cancer

In the GoFundMe description, Smith says he reached out to the World Trade Center registry to make a connection between his illness and his time at Ground Zero

The World Trade Center Registry is an organization that researches the long-term health effects of those who lived and worked near Ground Zero after the attacks

Many firefighters and police officers are known to have higher rates of cancer.

“I think we’re seeing the magnitude of this 9/11 tragedy, it’s long-term and ongoing,” Smith said.

Smith said he is currently undergoing oral chemotherapy.

His prognosis, however, is unclear.

An Ohio man plans to spend a few more months in San Diego while he continues his cancer treatment.

Smith hopes to raise $15,000 to cover his bills. As of March 28, the GoFundMe had raised just under $2,000.

“I would greatly appreciate anyone sharing my story with as many people as possible to spread the word,” he wrote.

“Any help you can share would be greatly appreciated for me and my family,” the foundation says.