Retired Detective Lou Alvarez, who gave what remained of his life and even his badge to the cause of ailing 9-11 first responders, lost his fight against cancer linked to the 2001 terrorist attacks, his family announced Saturday.

Alvarez stunned members of Congress when he testified earlier this month about the still-unfolding tragedy of the illnesses ravaging responders who toiled in the ruins of the World Trade Center.

Frail and gaunt, he said their failure to pass permanent legislation to compensate responders and victims had forced him to make the journey to Washington, a day before what would have been his 69th session of chemotherapy. A House committee passed legislation the next day to permanently extend the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

His fellow responders carried his badge to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week, hoping it would help convince the Kentucky Republican to advance the 9/11 legislation.