Some Sept. 11 first responders who have illnesses related to their efforts say they have been frustrated by the NYPD's pension board process.

Maureen Donohue says her ovarian cancer stemming from her work at Ground Zero wasn't the only challenge when she tried to get her disability pension approved. She says she was eventually approved after she dug up notes she took from her time working for the NYPD on Sept. 11 and the days after, proving she worked 400 hours.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams says first responders who performed rescue, recovery or cleanup operations on and after Sept. 11 have been asked to do what Donohue did -- prove their hours worked to the NYPD pension board. Adams spoke with a banner behind him listing all 266 Brooklyn residents who died on Sept. 11.

The NYPD says in a statement:

Adams say the claims review process needs to change.