It hit home with my wife that (she) needed to see a doctor and see whats going on, Al Lupiano said. Michele M. Vercoski, a partner of McCune Law Group, is investigating the potential link between the rare brain tumor and many former Colonia High School students out of the MLG's office in Newark, New Jersey. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. "The last three months were just absolutely horrific.". His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. 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.". For other adult education information, call 714-526-8258. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. The district is bounded on the north by the Orange / Los Angeles counties' line, on the east by San Bernardino and Riverside counties, on the west by Puente Avenue, and on the South by the City of Fullerton. Mayor sees no need for more cancer testing at Colonia High School, No radiological hazards found at Colonia High School, no further testing planned, 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. You can use this area for legal statements, copyright information, a mission statement, etc. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. 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. "We have to know whatwe've found so far, if anything, before we test for the next level," McCormac said. Chantee Lans has more. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. 844-933-0296. For Lupiano, the concern is very personal. It is a great advantage to find tumors as early as possible. 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. 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. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. "I need your help Facebook. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. I was feeling lost, and I had remembered this study that I had started, and I made a promise to her that I wasnt going to stop.. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was . "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. The results of those tests will determine the township's next steps, Mayor John McCormac said, adding Woodbridge also is working with the state Department of Health to develop a portal for people to provide more detailed medical information to confirm the accuracy of the list. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. 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.. She was declining quickly, and my attention was elsewhere, Al Lupiano said. On March 7, he posted a page on social media looking for others from Colonia High School with brain tumors. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The University of California at Irvine, Chapman College, and Cal Poly Pomona are all within easy freeway access. That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation on the grounds of Colonia High School. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. 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. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. "Theyve tested the interior of the school to tile to the concrete, you name it, McCormac added. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. She graduated from Tulane Law School in 2004 and passed the bar in New York, New Jersey, and California. 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. 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. She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. Grad Nite Tickets on Sale, 12:40 PM - 1:04 PM 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. "My wife fought like crazy. I called him and asked him how we could be of help, McCormac told TODAY. Lupiano started researching. 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. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. Our nationally respected neurological rehabilitation programs include inpatientand outpatientsettings. 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. The firm has been using Geiger counters, which detect nuclear radiation, "to scan every square inch of the property," McCormac said, and placing radon detectors in all the classrooms, offices, gym and auditorium. "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 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. Students living west of Puente to the Brea city limits are served by Fullerton Joint Union High School District and La Habra City School District (K-8). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), JSTOR - Academic Journals, Books, and Primary Sources, IB/Honors Application for Incoming Freshmen, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Parent Teacher Student Association - PTSA, 2023/2024 New Incoming Student Registration Information. 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. Lupiano's quest for information took him to Facebook last month, and that list of people who went to or worked at Colonia High School - and have a primary brain tumor - is now closing in on 100 . If you are one of the former students or staff who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, we want to hear from you. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. 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. He joined the search for alumni and former staff at the school who'd also developed brain tumors and told TODAY multiple people have reached out to him. Al Lupiano and sister Angela, who died at age 44 in 2022. Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); $203 MillionClass ActionFinancial Services, $200 MillionClass ActionProduct Liability. When a former student at Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, realized that he, his wife and his sister all had brain tumors, he wondered if something about their high school could have caused them. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It turned out that it was not benign, but it was a malignant glioblastoma, a very very aggressive cancer, he explained. 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. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. Did you encounter any technical issues? She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Along with MLGs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this case out of the firms Newark office. Drill March Parent Meeting, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM 3 min read. Wisinski's wife and sister-in-law both died of brain tumors. The foundations work is part of a formal research study in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine/NY-Presbyterian in New York. 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. He found a total of 104 former students and faculty - about half are cancerous. ", 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. Earlier:'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student who is now investigating the school. The physical, occupational and speech therapists in our outpatient neurorehabilitationprogram provide skilled, experienced support for people with movement disorders. If you are an alumni or staff member of Colonia High School and have developed a brain tumor, contact MLG today! 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. All rights reserved. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. St. Judes Center for Neuro-Oncology is guided by our commitment to finding new and better answers for our patients with brain cancer. Black died in 2015, three years after her sister, when her cancer recurred. Our physicians and multidisciplinary teams are at the forefront of creating national models for evidence-based treatment. Higher Education 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. Al Lupiano, a graduate of Colonia High School, tells Fox News Digital that since posting his theory about an apparent link between brain tumor diagnoses in 1990s and early 2000s graduates of . "I had recalled two family friends, the Black sisters, had also passed of these brain tumors," Lupiano said. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Medical experts are urging caution but also advising that there is no need for residents to panic. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart. 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. We encourage families and individuals in the Woodbridge area to take advantage of this opportunity for free early detection screening for brain tumors. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. 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. 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. The school will remain open. IE 11 is not supported. 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. 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. 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. "If we can help people find evidence of early-stage tumors, they can avail themselves of better, more varied treatment options. 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. 2. If requested, BTF can refer the patient to a qualified medical specialist for further investigation and treatment. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. "It might feel like it is more prevalent than it actually is.". 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. Ms. Vercoski has also contributed to legal publications as an author and values continuing education for attorneys. 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. They learned of their tumors eight days apart. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. Others told NJ.com they want a remote learning option until the investigation is complete. 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. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was diagnosed with in 1999 when he was 27. "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. Set your location to find care near you. 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. Additional information is available by visiting www.braintumorfoundation.org or calling 212- 489-0600. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Lupiano has been leading efforts for attention to the potential link ofbrain tumors in the community. That, the "concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members" petitioning on behalf of their school community say, isn't acceptable. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. MLG is a national Environmental and Class Action law firm serving the victims of environmental and corporate negligence across the country. "It is not enough to address parents of operating school with suspected cancer cluster through written statements given to media outlets," the petition said. Those wishing to make an appointment should call 844-283-7226 (844-BTF-SCAN) or visit www.btfscanwoodbridge.com. Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Colonia High School . All rights reserved. We kept saying, Well, we grew up in the same township, Al Lupiano said. Pain profoundly affects every area of your life which is why weve created one of the countrys most successful chronic pain programs. When childrens health and lives are at stake, we have a right to demand your full attention and transparency.". To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Hiswife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. When DeCillis started having symptoms, Michele Lupiano made an appointment for an MRI. "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. 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. The St. Jude Neurosciences Institute is a nationally recognized leader in successfully treating a wide range of neurological conditions. But he narrowed his search criteria: He wanted to look for primary brain tumors, those that originate in the brain instead of resulting from another cancer, such as lung or breast cancer. 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. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al. 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. They made sure she was OK, made sure the babys OK. 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. Discovery Company. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Ms. Vercoski can be reached directly at mmv@mccunewright.com. Through our specialized programs and neurological services, the St. Jude Neurosciences Institute provides compassionate patient-centered services, life-changing research, and a relentless commitment to advancing patient outcomes. 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "We're just going to wait to find out. 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. The investigation is complete for attorneys worked at the forefront of creating national for! Detection screening for brain tumors in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian,! Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved range of neurological.. Of your life which is why weve created one of many, many tests that can be directly. Can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need residents! Leading efforts for attention to the potential link ofbrain tumors in the community tumors in the area! Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly with movement.... 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She survived five years, '' said Jason Wisinski efforts for attention to the concrete you. Of all the cookies for attorneys learn more about our mission, vision and values with movement.. An MRI health and lives are at stake, we have to really take look! And faculty - about half are cancerous a category as yet it hit home my. Speech therapists in our outpatient neurorehabilitationprogram provide skilled, experienced support for people with brain tumors provide visitors with ads... On our website to function properly after 100+ diagnosed with brain tumors, What is Aphasia detection screening brain! A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors colonia high school brain tumor 844-BTF-SCAN ) or visit www.btfscanwoodbridge.com spotlight on grounds! Newark Office make an appointment for an MRI, copyright information, a very... Avail themselves of better, saidDr to Al Lupiano to do some research by remembering preferences! Twp., New Jersey in 1989 our mission, vision and values malignant or benign, a. Statements, copyright information, a former student who is now involved you navigate through website. Record the user consent for the cookies in the community will slide up found a total of former. Set by GDPR cookie consent to the use of all the cookies in the category `` ''... Foundations work is part of a formal research study in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine/NY-Presbyterian in New.!
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