The screenings are part of the foundations ongoing early detection program and research initiative, with the goal of helping people in the area discover if they have an undiagnosed brain tumor. The environmental scientist and industrial engineer picked up on a potential pattern. But patience appears to be wearing thin among some in the community, judging by the petition. Pre-Schools & Private Schools. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Early detection is the best hope for slowing the course of the disease, and hopefully reaching tumor remission. 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. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was diagnosed with in 1999 when he was 27. We kept saying, Well, we grew up in the same township, Al Lupiano said. 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 website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He promised her he would find out the reason for the family's brain tumors. If you were affected or have a tumor or rare cancer, I need your assistance," his Facebook post read. ", Mystery as 100 people associated with 1 school develop brain tumors, 15 people who went to his high school, Colonia High School, National Cancer Institute defines a cancer cluster, published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology. 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. She had an inoperable high grade tumor called anaplastic astrocytoma.". Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. We bring together more than a dozen specialties, life-saving research and a relentless commitment to advancing patient outcomes, giving our patients the very best opportunity to recover and heal. It hit home with my wife that (she) needed to see a doctor and see whats going on, Al Lupiano said. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. 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. 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. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. The school has stayed open, with local officials apparently telling parents that "at this time, there is no discernable health or wellness threat to students, staff, or visitors at Colonia High School," according to the petition writers. Lupiano, his wife Michele, and his sister were all Colonia High School graduates and all developed brain tumors, although Lupiano's and his wife's are benign. 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. Pain profoundly affects every area of your life which is why weve created one of the countrys most successful chronic pain programs. She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. 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. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. 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.. 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. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. I needed to ask for help, he said. "That started setting off bells and whistles in my head.". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Eyewitness News has reached out to them, and are waiting to hear back. A scan revealed that she had a tumor on the left side of the brain that was 30 millimeters. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. All Rights Reserved. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Working closely with patients referring neurologists, our therapists use advanced rehabilitation tools and techniques to help patients optimize their movement and function. 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. (TODAY has not confirmed each individual case.) Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. 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. 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. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. My wife, sister and myself grew up in the same township. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. 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. 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. St. Judes Center for Neuro-Oncology is guided by our commitment to finding new and better answers for our patients with brain cancer. Lupiano started researching. 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. I dont have any data that says anybody should be concerned right now, and if we had that, we would certainly take action immediately," McCormac said. Did you encounter any technical issues? The Departments stand ready to assist Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next steps. Over 100 brain tumors spark investigation at New Jersey high school. For information about local community college classes, call Fullerton Community College at 714-992-7000. 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. As DeCillis health declined, Al Lupiano started wondering why the three of them had brain tumors. That, the "concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members" petitioning on behalf of their school community say, isn't acceptable. Ms. Vercoski, who was raised in Carteret and Middlesex County and who recently lost a close friend and alumnus of Colonia High School to this rare brain tumor, is utilizing her personal investment in this investigation to become part of the solution to provide answers and relief to alumni and staff affected by this rare brain tumor. Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. You can use this area for legal statements, copyright information, a mission statement, etc. He was successfully treated for it, though he has lingering side effects, including slight deafness, fatigue and dizziness. But, according to the Change.org petition launched Tuesday, complete results aren't even anticipated to be received until the end of May. Grad Nite Tickets on Sale, 12:40 PM - 1:04 PM 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. Band Spaghetti Fundraiser. Earlier this year, Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist and Colonia High School graduate, discovered more than 115 people who spent time at the school had a rare brain tumor. The outside testing may need some minor follow-up work. 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. Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called glioblastoma. COLONIA, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation on the grounds of Colonia High School. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has said. Sonora High School encourages students to become life-long learners and contributing members of an ever-changing world. A man investigating his former high school in New Jersey says he has counted 115 people who attended or worked there have had a rare brain tumor. 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. Lupiano's sister, Angela died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. The rarity of three family members being diagnosed with brain tumors revealed the high school as a possible common link. They didnt think for a second that it had anything to do with a brain tumor. Screenings will utilize Swoop, HyperFines new portable MRI machine, BTF said. The environmental assessment study at Colonia High School was recently completed, in response to allegations that suggested the school had radiological hazards that contributed to diagnoses. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. 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. "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. On March 7, he posted a page on social media looking for others from Colonia High School with brain tumors. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. "We're just going to wait to find out. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. In many cases, this can lengthen the patients lifespan and avoid permanent damage.. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Placed random canisters inside the School District Office at 714-990-7800 cookies may affect your experience... Your experience while you navigate through the website to give you the most relevant experience remembering... Consent plugin Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next.! Website, anonymously deafness, fatigue and dizziness has not confirmed each case. 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