"It's certainly concerning because the rate of primary brain tumors is certainly higher than what we would expect in the general population," said Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society. Because the school remains open, we demand greater urgency to find out if potentially harmful substances are harming our children and staff at Colonia High School.". Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. Its just extremely rare. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation on the grounds of Colonia High School. We'll use your location to find clinics, hospitals and doctors closest to you. Lupiano said he started searching for instances of Colonia High graduates having brain tumors and was stunned to discover 15 people in total, with two newly discovered cases pending further. This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. St. Judes Center for Neuro-Oncology is guided by our commitment to finding new and better answers for our patients with brain cancer. Cheer March Parent Meeting, 1:04 PM - 1:34 PM We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. RECEIVE CITY NEWSGet the Brea Line Newsletter, City of Brea1 Civic Center CircleBrea, CA 92821Phone: 714-990-7600, 57/Lambert Interchange Improvement Project, Join the Energy Coalition With Smart Habits. Theres some statistical analysis that has to get done, Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, told TODAY. The environmental engineering firm T+M Associates was contracted by Woodbridge Township after growing concerns about a possible link between the Central New Jersey school and brain cancer. Part of investigating a possible cancer cluster is comparing the group in question to a similar group elsewhere, aka the control group, to determine if cancer is actually occurring at a higher rate. In many cases, this can lengthen the patients lifespan and avoid permanent damage.. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "My wife fought like crazy. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. A single New Jersey man has uncovered a medical mystery apparently linking 100 people diagnosed with rare cancers or tumors to a Woodbridge high school. ABC7's Dallas Raines explains the difference, Jury selection begins for convicted torturer accused of escaping jail, Children jump for joy at seeing snow flurries in Canyon Country. The St. Jude Sleep Centerbrings unusual expertise to the most common and undiagnosed sleep problem in America today: sleep apnea. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. In two weeks, the firm will be done running tests, send the data out to be analyzed and report back. Wisinski lost his wife, Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Our neurosurgical smart suite the first of its kind in California combines intraoperative MRI and a revolutionary neuro-navigation system that function together like a highly precise GPS system inside the brain, giving patients the best potential for successful outcomes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); $203 MillionClass ActionFinancial Services, $200 MillionClass ActionProduct Liability. The screenings will be held 9a.m. to 5 p.m. June 22-24 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27-30 at Joy's Dance House, 747 King Georges Road in the Fords section. Learn how to access Aeries, Chromebook support, and much more! 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. It does not store any personal data. Working closely with patients referring neurologists, our therapists use advanced rehabilitation tools and techniques to help patients optimize their movement and function. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. Parents like Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for those results -- at least at the time Genoni spoke to News 4 last month. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. What is graupel? Earlier this year, 1989 Colonia High School graduate Al Lupiano developed a list of more than 120 people who were students, teachers or staff members at the school from the 1970s to 1990s. Lupiano's sister, Angela died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ive always had a gut feeling that there was something wrong at that high school, he said. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. These low-level contaminations can be very difficult to prove as a cancer cluster because there are going to be a lot of other schools with the same level of contamination there, (and) they have dont brain cancers.. When Al Lupiano then revealed that his sister had glioblastoma, the doctor began peppering him with questions about what the three had in common, he recalled. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. He has relatives who are students at the school. The doctor told us that it is extremely rare for a husband and wife to both have brain tumors. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was . She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. Thatled Lupiano to posta message on Facebook last month asking if others who attended or worked at the school had been diagnosed with brain tumors. Screenings will utilize Swoop, HyperFines new portable MRI machine, BTF said. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. Her sister, Cheryl Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. "It is not enough to address parents of operating school with suspected cancer cluster through written statements given to media outlets," the petition said. Our therapists offer the most advanced care available, helping individuals of all ages successfully recover from strokes, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, vestibular and balance disorders, diabetic neuropathy and other medical conditions. All the affected attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, dating back decades. Jason Wisinski, who lost his wife and sister-in-law, both Colonia High alumnae, to primary malignant brain tumors at the age of 38, became one of many convinced that a cluster a. Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. Lupiano's sister, also a graduate of the high school, died recently from brain cancer. If requested, BTF can refer the patient to a qualified medical specialist for further investigation and treatment. ", McCormac hopes testing will determine theres nothing at the school contributing to brain tumors: Then experts will have to figure out why its happening elsewhere. It turned out that it was not benign, but it was a malignant glioblastoma, a very very aggressive cancer, he explained. Did you encounter any technical issues? On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. I said, Im going to go on Facebook and either find answers or make myself look foolish and put out what I found and open myself up to the ridicule of science.. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student who is now investigating the school. Additional information is available by visiting www.braintumorfoundation.org or calling 212- 489-0600. She left the nursing profession in 2001 to pursue a legal career with a special emphasis on using her nursing knowledge to help those in legal need. Ms. Vercoski can be reached directly at mmv@mccunewright.com. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. She believes that every childs home, school, and town should be safe to grow up in and that no one should suffer due to circumstances outside of their control. He investigated whether other people who grew up nearby had experienced brain tumors, too. Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who. His wife. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. 2023 Cable News Network. That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. Learn more about personalized stroke services, treatments and services. Football Junior High Strength Camp, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM When Wisinskis sister-in-law Cheryl Black was recovering from surgery to remove her grade 2 oligodendroglioma in 2007, his wife, Janice Wisinski, who was 29 weeks pregnant, started having a seizure in Black's hospital room, he recalled. "I dont know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, et cetera.". That is, clusters of cancer can arise by chance," according to NCI. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. The township announced results of an investigation. We were told we have to make a decision on when to have the baby versus when were supposed to have surgery to try to remove the tumor, he said. By Thanksgiving, DeCillis' cognitive abilities deteriorated. Early detection is the best hope for slowing the course of the disease, and hopefully reaching tumor remission. Many of these symptoms can prove especially dangerous for those who drive or operate heavy machinery, including: If you are a graduate, current student, or staff member at Colonia High School and have developed a glioblastoma or other brain tumor, contact MLG immediately to become part of the investigation. McCormac said the radon testing is done and has been sent to the lab. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. In addition to Ms. Vercoskis medical and legal expertise in environmental areas, MLG has an in-house team of lawyers and public health professionals, including two PhDs in public health, who are ready to lead the investigation to protect current and former students and staff of Colonia High School against the fallout from this rare brain tumor. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. The school will remain open. Youll often find contaminants that are in the environment, Dr. Peter Shields, the deputy director of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, told TODAY. Our fellowship-trained neurosurgeons and neurointerventional radiologists utilize these and other leading-edge technologies to provide expert care for the full range of neurosurgical conditions, from brain injuries and complex brain tumors to nerve compression and herniated disks. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election. For Lupiano, the concern is very personal. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. The township dedicated funds to hire an environmental engineering firm to start various tests at Colonia High School for possible contaminants in and around the school. Black died in 2015, three years after her sister, when her cancer recurred. Sinceearly March, Lupiano, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate, has identified 117 students, teachers and staff members with primary brain tumors, as well as 78 students and staff with rare or curious cancers. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. Lupiano started researching. Lupiano, who has a 30-year background in environmental science and safety engineering, never anticipatedthe list of cases growing so long. Every inch of Colonia High School, part of the Woodbridge Township School District, from buildings to fields, is being tested for radiation to determine if there is a link between the school and the number of cancer cases diagnosed amongst former students and staff. Optune: this nonsurgical, electrical-frequency therapy disrupts glioblastoma cancer cell growth, representing the first advancement in outcomes for this cancer in over a decade. Its just like both of you being struck by lightning, Al Lupiano recalled. If students and staff are being subjected to harmful environmental exposures at Colonia High School, swift and urgent action must be taken to protect the future health of the students and staff. "The agencies acknowledged their concerns regarding the potential cancer cluster, but are not conducting any testing aside from radiation and radon that the Township undertook, even though the school remains open. Gov. When Jason Wisinski learned that Al Lupiano was looking into cases of brain tumors at a New Jersey high school, he wanted to help. When childrens health and lives are at stake, we have a right to demand your full attention and transparency.". The. But wed love to be able to rule out the school., Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who attended or worked at the school who have primary brain tumors. After Jason Wisinki's wife and sister-in-law, who both attended Colonia High School, died from brain tumors, the 51-year-old from Hunterdon, New Jersey, who did not attend Colonia, contacted Lupiano through Facebook. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. Band Spaghetti Fundraiser. "I had recalled two family friends, the Black sisters, had also passed of these brain tumors," Lupiano said. Academic Achievement Awards, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM "Right now we've talked to every federal and state agency possible and no one has indicated that the school is not safe," McCormac said. Al Lupiano, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate and DeCillis' brother-in-law, notified the community in March about his belief in a possible link between radiation at the school and brain tumors . Environmental scientist Al Lupiano. DeCillis started showing stroke-like symptoms and went to the hospital in August 2021. The most common and undiagnosed sleep problem in America today: sleep apnea health and lives are stake... Enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, et cetera. `` stroke care today... Now involved Genoni are willing to wait for those results -- at least at time! The Democrat told NJ.com died recently from brain cancer in 2015 100 rare brain tumors children from K-8 #... The data out to the hospital in August 2021 died from brain.. Like both of you being struck by lightning, Al Lupiano said the best, according. A Catholic school with classes for children from K-8 covering crime, courts and mayhem! 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