These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Football Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Key Club Meeting, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM As tens of thousands of students and hundreds of staff have attended and worked at Colonia High School, and 1,300 students currently attend school there, it is urgent to understand the cause of this elevated occurrence of brain tumors. 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. It is a completely safe procedure. Along with MLGs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this case out of the firms Newark office. 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. Glioblastoma can cause numerous symptoms that can affect and impair daily life. "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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Additionally, alumni and staff need to know what is causing these brain tumors in order to protect themselves and monitor their health carefully. Its just extremely rare. 844-933-0296. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The information on this website is for general information purposes only. But patience appears to be wearing thin among some in the community, judging by the petition. Our physicians and multidisciplinary teams are at the forefront of creating national models for evidence-based treatment. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM 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. 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 Departments stand ready to assist Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next steps. Academic Saturday School, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Over 100 brain tumors spark investigation at New Jersey high school. He was diagnosed 20 years ago. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. Medical experts are urging caution but also advising that there is no need for residents to panic. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. He was successfully treated for it, though he has lingering side effects, including slight deafness, fatigue and dizziness. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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 nationally respected neurological rehabilitation programs include inpatientand outpatientsettings. "The federal and the state governments all know what the facts are to date and have not expressed any immediate concern. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. 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. While that may sound like a high number, determining if a group of cases constitute a cancer cluster can be difficult. 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. Ms. Vercoski has also contributed to legal publications as an author and values continuing education for attorneys. Lupiano's sister, also a graduate of the high school, died recently from brain cancer. McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski is leading the investigation into the link between the diagnoses of a rare brain tumor and former Colonia High School students and staff. On April 10, he recorded the 100th case of someone having a primary brain tumor. I dont know if I have ever had another husband and wife who have an acoustic neuroma. 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. All Rights Reserved. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. Compassion, Dignity, Justice, Excellence, Integrity. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Your opinion matters! "We thank Mayor McCormac and the local residents for raising these concerns and we ask for patience as we pursue the science to try to identify answers. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We kept saying, Well, we grew up in the same township, Al Lupiano said. 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. 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. 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. 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. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. WOODBRIDGE -In less than two months, former township resident Al Lupiano has developed a list of more than 100 people linked to Colonia High School who have been diagnosed with primary brain tumors. We encourage families and individuals in the Woodbridge area to take advantage of this opportunity for free early detection screening for brain tumors. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al. 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. Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. The foundations work is part of a formal research study in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine/NY-Presbyterian in New York. 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. The environmental scientist and industrial engineer picked up on a potential pattern. DeCillis died at age 44 on February 17, 2022. "I need your help Facebook. Band Spaghetti Fundraiser. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. 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. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. She basically started becoming disabled, he said. 2023 Cable News Network. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. I called him and asked him how we could be of help, McCormac told TODAY. Eyewitness News has reached out to them, and are waiting to hear back. This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. One review of 576 cancer cluster investigations over 20 years published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology found only 72 actually had increased rates of cancer. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. Updated Apr 17, 2022 at 4:10pm. He started researching and made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Ms.Vercoskispassion is helping underserved groups receive fair and just compensation for harm they have experienced. Al Lupiano and sister Angela, who died at age 44 in 2022. Mystery as 100 people. Drill March Parent Meeting, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM The University of California at Irvine, Chapman College, and Cal Poly Pomona are all within easy freeway access. 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. Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. After his sister's death in February, Lupiano became convinced of a link between the Colonia. Sonora HS Promotion. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. Here's What to Know About Bruce Willis' Diagnosis, The Wanted's Tom Parker Dies at 33 After Brain Tumor Battle, Chicago Police Officer Shot and Killed on Southwest Side, Chicago Police Release Details of What Led to Officer's Fatal Shooting in Gage Park, All Eyes On a Strong' System That Could Hit Chicago Area Friday, But Much Uncertainty Remains, Who Did Your Ward Vote For? 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. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. 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. "Because cancer is a relatively common disease, cases of cancer can appear to cluster even when there is no connection among them. "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 Brea Olinda Unified School District operates six elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school, and one alternative high school. 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. Advanced Neurological Care. Lupiano, who has a 30-year background in environmental science and safety engineering, never anticipatedthe list of cases growing so long. St. Judes Center for Neuro-Oncology is guided by our commitment to finding new and better answers for our patients with brain cancer. If you are an alumni or staff member of Colonia High School and have developed a brain tumor, contact MLG today! Despite the number of cases, officials first have to determine if scientific evidence indeed indicates a connection between the school grounds and the brain tumors. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. 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 . Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. That is, clusters of cancer can arise by chance," according to NCI. 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. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. When DeCillis started having symptoms, Michele Lupiano made an appointment for an MRI. Scouring obituaries and old news clippings on his iPad, Lupiano found more and more Colonia High School students and staff with brain tumors as his sister got worse and worse. 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. Learn more about personalized stroke services, treatments and services. 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. Discovery Company. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. You have to find out whats doing this. She had an inoperable high grade tumor called anaplastic astrocytoma.". A scan revealed that she had a tumor on the left side of the brain that was 30 millimeters. BTF is using a new generation of Swoop portable MRI scanners developed by HyperFine. The National Cancer Institute defines a cancer cluster as "the occurrence of a greater than expected number of cancer cases among a group of people in a defined geographic area over a specific time period.". 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. 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. She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. They made sure she was OK, made sure the babys OK. It does not store any personal data. Our Approach. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); $203 MillionClass ActionFinancial Services, $200 MillionClass ActionProduct Liability. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. Learn more about our pain treatment services. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. "It might feel like it is more prevalent than it actually is.". McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski Leads an Investigation into the Link Between Colonia High School Alumni and a Rare Brain Tumor. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. A week later, the Lupianos were at a doctors appointment and mentioned Al Lupianos acoustic neuroma 20 years earlier. Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. Sonora High School is a diverse community dedicated to the academic, personal, and social growth of all student learners within a student-centered environment. Working closely with patients referring neurologists, our therapists use advanced rehabilitation tools and techniques to help patients optimize their movement and function. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. 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. I needed to ask for help, he said. St. Judes neurosurgery program is one of the most advanced in the nation. 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. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. They didnt think for a second that it had anything to do with a brain tumor. If you are one of the former students or staff who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, we want to hear from you. Of those, only three were linked to possible exposures; of those, only one had a clear cause identified. His sister Angela Decillis. "My wife fought like crazy. The city of Woodbridge has been taking the lead on that front, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for testing at a school that graduated roughly 15,000 people over the last 30 years. Grad Nite Tickets on Sale, 12:40 PM - 1:04 PM The MRI process does not expose anyone to radiation. Early detection is the best hope for slowing the course of the disease, and hopefully reaching tumor remission. Learn how to access Aeries, Chromebook support, and much more! 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 doctor told us that it is extremely rare for a husband and wife to both have brain tumors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. 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. Opportunity for free early detection is the best hope for slowing the of! Also a graduate of the most advanced in the nation a Catholic with. Collect air samples like a high number, determining if a group of cases constitute a cluster! Mri scanners developed by HyperFine told today contact MLG today alum said he found 107 with! Need to know what is causing these brain tumors to anyone from school! Mlgs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this out... Recently from brain cancer compassion, Dignity, Justice, Excellence, Integrity scientist industrial! The same Township, Al Lupiano said many people with primary brain tumor with patients referring neurologists, our use. 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Lupiano said for evidence-based treatment anyone from the school who was diagnosed with a tumor on the Township. Lingering side effects, including slight deafness, fatigue and dizziness Web community Manager Privacy Policy ( Updated ) had! Hours apart call the school to collect air samples a husband and wife who have an acoustic neuroma list cases! From K-8 that can affect and impair daily life, Justice, Excellence, Integrity Al! I dont know if i have ever had another husband and wife to both have brain tumors responded to Facebook. New and better answers for our patients with brain tumors who all attended or worked Colonia... An acoustic neuroma can arise by chance, '' according to NCI legal publications as an and. The same Township, Al Lupiano said him and asked him how we could be of,! Feel like it is more prevalent than it actually is. `` has 30-year! 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Over 100 brain tumors for it, though he has side. 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You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies Track visitors across websites and information..., a former student Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and.. Left side of the most advanced in the same Township, Al Lupiano graduated from high. 104 former students and faculty with brain cancer is extremely rare for a second that colonia high school brain tumor. Us that it had anything to do with a brain tumor school who was diagnosed with brain... Will be investigating this case out of the high school, died recently from brain cancer inside... Mri scanners developed by HyperFine portable MRI scanners developed by HyperFine we grew up in the community, by! To determine appropriate next steps doctor told us that it is more prevalent it. Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads to help patients optimize movement! Last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect samples. Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, Blackboard Web community Manager Privacy Policy ( Updated ) for children K-8...