"I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. 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. Soon after, Janice Wisinski delivered their daughter Haylee, now 15, and a few weeks later had her surgery to try to remove her tumor but not until after experiencing 29 localized seizures. Our physicians and multidisciplinary teams are at the forefront of creating national models for evidence-based treatment. IE 11 is not supported. His research was prompted after both his wife and sister, both Colonia High School graduates, were diagnosed with brain tumors on the same day in August 2021. All Rights Reserved. Higher Education "Because cancer is a relatively common disease, cases of cancer can appear to cluster even when there is no connection among them. WOODBRIDGE The Brain Tumor Foundation (BTF) is offeringfree early brain tumor detection, with MRI screenings, in response to concerns surrounding more than 125 former Colonia High School students, teachers and employees who have apparently developed brain tumors. "It is not enough to address parents of operating school with suspected cancer cluster through written statements given to media outlets," the petition said. When people investigate signs or symptoms that point to neurological issues, cancers may have already grown to a stage where it is difficult to treat," said BTF Chairman Michael Schreiber. 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. ", "If there are any potential environmental exposure pathways identified and a need for further environmental sampling, the state Health Department will work cooperatively with (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to conduct a public health assessment and evaluate the potential for health effects," the statement continued. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. Soon after Lupiano posted his page, Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac received phone calls about the group and reached out to Lupiano. Even if the brain tumor is not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening if left untreated. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Her sister, Cheryl Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Discovery Company. 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. People who participate in the screening will have their MRI results read by a neuro-radiologist who will then send the report to the individuals personal physician. 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. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. COLONIA, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation on the grounds of Colonia High School. More than 100 graduates of a New Jersey high school have been diagnosed with brain tumors over the past 30 years, prompting concern that there might be a connection between the school and. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In two weeks, the firm will be done running tests, send the data out to be analyzed and report back. 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 made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Doctors thought it was benign at first, but the pathology results indicated otherwise, Al Lupiano recalled. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. 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. "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," Lupiano said. The HyperFine MRI unit enables greater flexibility and ease of access to patients than the previous practice of bringing a 72-foot tractor-trailer housing a standard sized mobile MRI to a screening location. As the school remains open during the investigation, some students are concerned. Former Colonia High School student Al Lupiano first decided to investigate when both his wife and his sister were diagnosed with brain tumors, two decades after he himself had suffered. They thought it had to do with the pregnancy.They couldnt do an MRI on Janice Wisinski, so they did a CT scan and saw a mass on the left side of her brain. Updated Apr 17, 2022 at 4:10pm. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. She had (another) pretty bad seizure about 31 weeks.. They learned of their tumors eight days apart. "We have to know whatwe've found so far, if anything, before we test for the next level," McCormac said. 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. As expressions of God's healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. Follow her on Twitter to see her recent stories. 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. It is a completely safe procedure. Black died in 2015, three years after her sister, when her cancer recurred. While that may sound like a high number, determining if a group of cases constitute a cancer cluster can be difficult. Colonia High School . A scientist and mother is demanding answers after tests she conducted found cancer-causing toxins and materials were present at the school where more than 100 former students have since been. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Hiswife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Frequently, in hazmat, you never find it in the first shot," Lupiano said. The environmental scientist and industrial engineer picked up on a potential pattern. 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. Last year, his wife, Michele Lupiano, was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma and his sister, Angela DeCillis, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. It took a lot of computing power, but we may finally have a full picture of a humans brain development over the course of their life. Pain profoundly affects every area of your life which is why weve created one of the countrys most successful chronic pain programs. Chantee Lans has more. 2023 Cable News Network. It is a great advantage to find tumors as early as possible. 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. Some students living south of Imperial Highway and east of Placentia Avenue are served by the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (K-12). Ive always had a gut feeling that there was something wrong at that high school, he said. Nearby is California State University at Fullerton as well as Fullerton Community College. 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. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM She had an inoperable high grade tumor called anaplastic astrocytoma.". Take the survey NOW! Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Call us or complete our online form to request an appointment with our neurological care experts. That is, clusters of cancer can arise by chance," according to NCI. 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). "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart. The MRI process does not expose anyone to radiation. "We're just going to wait to find out. "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. "I dont know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, et cetera.". He had confirmed 15 . This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. Lupiano's research led to the creation of a list of about 125 former Colonia High School students, teachers and staff who have developed brain tumors. The safety of our students and staff is the top priority., The New Jersey departments of health and environmental protection told TODAY in a statement that they're "aware of the concerns raised by local residents" relating to Colonia High School and "partnering with Mayor McCormac and Woodbridge Township to better understand the issue and determine whether any relevant environmental exposure concerns are present at the site. St. Judes Center for Neuro-Oncology is guided by our commitment to finding new and better answers for our patients with brain cancer. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. ALSO READ | Man who spotted subway shooting suspect Frank R. James, flagged down officers speaks out, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player. It does not store any personal data. JROTC Sports Day Competition, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. "If we can help people find evidence of early-stage tumors, they can avail themselves of better, more varied treatment options. Radon testing was conducted at the school and last monthlocal officials joined by state environmental and health officials announced no evidence of any cancer-causing hazards were found at the site that warrant further investigation. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School Junior, Julia Pagnozzi. 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