He made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. Set your location to find care near you. Ms. Vercoski, a Middlesex County native, has a personal connection to the health outcomes of this type of rare brain tumor which has manifested in Colonia High School alumni and staff at unusually high rates. Learn more about our pain treatment services. Lupiano, an environmental scientist, said he has confirmed 65 cases of people with rare brain tumors, adding the common denominator is they were all Colonia High School graduates or had. Call us or complete our online form to request an appointment with our neurological care experts. All Rights Reserved. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The free brain scans were pursued by Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate who began researching a possible link between brain tumors and the high school following the February 2022 death of his 44-year-old sister with a malignant brain tumor,just months after she had been diagnosed. Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM They learned of their tumors eight days apart. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. Community Health Needs Assessments and Improvement Plans, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Communication Assistance. Frequently, in hazmat, you never find it in the first shot," Lupiano said. "If we can enrich science by showing that an unknown compound is in high concentration and link it to primary brain tumors, maybe we can protect others, remove it from our environment to make sure it never happens again," he said. The free brain scans were pursued by Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate who began researching a possible link between brain tumors and the high school following the February. That's 100 people with their life forever changed, 100 families having to be told the terrible news, 100 stories of shock and disbelief with the diagnosis. That, the "concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members" petitioning on behalf of their school community say, isn't acceptable. Colonia High School Officials conduct a radiological survey on the school's baseball field. Al Lupiano, a graduate of the high school, believes there's a link between Colonia High School and brain tumors diagnosed in 108 people over a period of three decades, ending in the early 2000s. Key Club Meeting, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. 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.. medical mystery at a high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors. 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. "We have to know whatwe've found so far, if anything, before we test for the next level," McCormac said. The school will remain open. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. A Warner Bros. Around the same time, Michele Lupiano was experiencing some hearing loss and balance problems. Cancer Cluster Probe at NJ HS Underway After 100+ Diagnosed With Brain Tumors, What Is Aphasia? We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. BTF has been conducting early detection screenings since 2008. The outside testing may need some minor follow-up work. "We and our children deserve more! On April 10, he recorded the 100th case of someone having a primary brain tumor. Lupiano said, adding his doctor encouraged him to investigate the concentration of tumors in the town where he grew up. Of those, only three were linked to possible exposures; of those, only one had a clear cause identified. She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. MLG Partner Michele Vercoski has over 16 years of experience as a trial attorney with a significant portion of her professional career dedicated to seeking justice for harm caused to people by environmental and occupational exposures. My wife, sister and myself grew up in the same township. We kept saying, Well, we grew up in the same township, Al Lupiano said. More say the information flow is sorely lacking. Both sisters graduated from Colonia High School, just like Al Lupiano in 1989, his wife Michelle in 1991, and his sister, Angela Decillis in 1995. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. After doing some research, Al Lupiano told TODAY that he discovered 107 former . Air, waterand soil samples need to be taken to rule out the possibility of additional contaminants that may be acting synergistically," Lupiano said in a statement Tuesday. ItfollowsLupiano's research indicating a possible link between the school and brain tumor cases among former students and staff, particularly from the years 1975 to 1995. More than 200 people have signed an online petition demanding a public meeting with state officials in New Jersey and federal authorities over concerns about a medical mystery at a high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 min read. Pre-Schools & Private Schools. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Over 100 brain tumors spark investigation at New Jersey high school. Hear his response. Its just extremely rare. By Thanksgiving, DeCillis' cognitive abilities deteriorated. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. BTF is using a new generation of Swoop portable MRI scanners developed by HyperFine. Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who. It hit home with my wife that (she) needed to see a doctor and see whats going on, Al Lupiano said. Chantee Lans has more. "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. By specializing in this frequently overlooked sleep disorder, we offer the clinical knowledge to fully evaluate and accurately identify the cause, as well as create the most effective, personalized treatment. Academic Saturday School, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. Follow her on Twitter to see her recent stories. "I had told my sister from the very beginning that there was too much of a coincidence that me, my wife and her all have the same tumor," said Lupiano. When DeCillis started having symptoms, Michele Lupiano made an appointment for an MRI. Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I needed to ask for help, he said. Nearby is California State University at Fullerton as well as Fullerton Community College. Lupiano, who has a 30-year background in environmental science and safety engineering, never anticipatedthe list of cases growing so long. As the school remains open during the investigation, some students are concerned. Facebook Colonia High School. For other adult education information, call 714-526-8258. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al. While we are waiting for the results of the radiological survey to be finalized, precious time is being wasted. Sonora High School encourages students to become life-long learners and contributing members of an ever-changing world. DeCillis started showing stroke-like symptoms and went to the hospital in August 2021. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. 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. For Lupiano, the concern is very personal. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. I called him and asked him how we could be of help, McCormac told TODAY. 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. We encourage families and individuals in the Woodbridge area to take advantage of this opportunity for free early detection screening for brain tumors. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. And with the list that grew by two people in just the last week, the results of recentradiation and radon testing at the school on East Street can't come soon enough. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. 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. Environmental engineering firm T+M Associates has been contracted by the township to test for radiation on the grounds of the high school, which was built in 1967. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. That is, clusters of cancer can arise by chance," according to NCI. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. Ms. Vercoski is a tireless advocate that has gotten justice and great results for her clients. If we catch a tumor before the patient becomes symptomatic, the health outcome is almost always better, saidDr. Michael Schulder, president of BTF and vice chair of neurosurgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. Your opinion matters! CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. All rights reserved. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. The Departments stand ready to assist Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next steps. Compassion, Dignity, Justice, Excellence, Integrity. We tailor each patient's treatment using the latest approaches, including new advancements such as: In addition, our partnership with some of the nations top research consortiums allows us to offer patients some of the most promising clinical trials. More than 100 people from the same high school have been diagnosed with brain cancer and it is feared soil contaminated with uranium used in the first atomic bomb made them ill. If you were affected or have a tumor or rare cancer, I need your assistance," his Facebook post read. "I had recalled two family friends, the Black sisters, had also passed of these brain tumors," Lupiano said. When Al Lupiano investigated why he, his wife and his sister had brain tumors, he told TODAY he uncovered more people with them who went to or worked at the high school. Learn more about personalized stroke services, treatments and services. I dont know if I have ever had another husband and wife who have an acoustic neuroma. New Jersey NJ Parents Demand Swifter Action in School Cancer Probe After 100+ Brain Tumors Diagnosed More than 100 former Colonia High School students and staff over a 30-year period. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. Pain profoundly affects every area of your life which is why weve created one of the countrys most successful chronic pain programs. His wife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. In two weeks, the firm will be done running tests, send the data out to be analyzed and report back. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can use this area for legal statements, copyright information, a mission statement, etc. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Brain tumors represent the highest per-patient initial cost of care for any cancer group with an annualized mean net cost of care approaching $150,000; and the highest annualized mean net costs for last-year-of-life care, relative to other cancers, at $135,000 to $210,000 (depending on age and sex) per patient. 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. 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. Phil Murphy told NJ.com the possible brain tumor cluster was disturbing but stressed it was too soon to make definitive conclusions about the cause. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. According to the NCI, it's "extremely rare" for an investigation into a possible cluster to find it's the result of a "specific cancer-causing substance in the environment." Mystery as 100 people. Radon canisters were placed throughout the building to collect radon measurements and additional testing was scheduled for last week while the school, built in 1967, was closed for spring break. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. Over 100 cases of brain tumors and other cancers have been discovered in former students of Colonia High School, constituting a cancer cluster according to Stanford's Dr. Paul Graham. 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. He investigated whether other people who grew up nearby had experienced brain tumors, too. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? Since 2007, Michele M. Vercoski has obtained excellent financial recoveries to clients in Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Action fraud,Commercial Litigation,and workplace harassment and discrimination. "I have full faith they will get to the bottom of this and they will figure out what is going on," she said at the time. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Football Junior High Strength Camp, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM What is graupel? Her hands were shaking, like violently shaking, and my wife basically went into a grand mal seizure (which causes violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness)," Wisinki TODAY. He had confirmed 15 . Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor with an incidence rate of 3.19 per 100,000 persons in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. His wife. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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X27 ; s Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano has found 107 people who up., many tests that can be performed colonia high school brain tumor many, many tests can. Is graupel the results of the radiological survey to be analyzed and report back designation recognizes our ability offer! Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy and vice chair of neurosurgery at Zucker. Doctors gave her about 18 months at Fullerton as Well as Fullerton community.... Time is being wasted your Assistance, '' said Woodbridge Township, New --. To the hospital in August 2021 Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it to! At $ 12 people who grew up in the Woodbridge area to advantage...
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