About 1,600 Sept. 11 first responders must decide soon whether to accept or reject a government settlement over their health claims.

The deadline to accept the $2.76 billion settlement or continue with a lawsuit must be made by Jan. 2.

John Walcott, of Pomona, who originally brought the lawsuit against the government, decided to accept the settlement, saying the lawsuit could drag on for years.

Walcott, who was diagnosed with leukemia, says that even though currently cancer isn't covered by the fund, he hopes that by putting his trust in the government that they won't let him down and his life can get back to normal.

Cancer excluded from 9/11 Zadroga health billSept. 11 health care bill goes into effect