Named one the countrys highest performing hospitals in neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report and one of America's 100 Best Hospitals in stroke care by Healthgrades we offer a level of care available at very few hospitals in the nation. 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. The environmental scientist and industrial engineer picked up on a potential pattern. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. Youre talking over 105 individuals, not counting families that have been affected, friends that have been affected. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. Gleolan: We are one of the first hospitals in the nation to use this revolutionary imaging agent, which clearly delineates tumor tissue from healthy brain tissue during surgery, improving safety, accuracy and survival. Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a trend. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was diagnosed with in 1999 when he was 27. The physical, occupational and speech therapists in our outpatient neurorehabilitationprogram provide skilled, experienced support for people with movement disorders. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. The foundations work is part of a formal research study in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine/NY-Presbyterian in New York. What is graupel? 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. Set your location to find care near you. In two weeks, the firm will be done running tests, send the data out to be analyzed and report back. My wife, sister and myself grew up in the same township. 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, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. The outside testing may need some minor follow-up work. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. Earlier: Mayor sees no need for more cancer testing at Colonia High School, Earlier: No radiological hazards found at Colonia High School, no further testing planned, Earlier: 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. 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. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. 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.". Sonora High School is a diverse community dedicated to the academic, personal, and social growth of all student learners within a student-centered environment. Many of these symptoms can prove especially dangerous for those who drive or operate heavy machinery, including: If you are a graduate, current student, or staff member at Colonia High School and have developed a glioblastoma or other brain tumor, contact MLG immediately to become part of the investigation. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Eyewitness News has reached out to them, and are waiting to hear back. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. Call us or complete our online form to request an appointment with our neurological care experts. Drill March Parent Meeting, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM St. Judes neurosurgery program is one of the most advanced in the nation. On March 7, he posted a page on social media looking for others from Colonia High School with brain tumors. On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. Sonora High School encourages students to become life-long learners and contributing members of an ever-changing world. You have to find out if its something thats going to affect my kids, Al Lupiano, 50, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, told TODAY. Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (714-256-1311) has a campus located at 251 South Randolph Street in Brea. "I dont know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, et cetera.". His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. While that may sound like a high number, determining if a group of cases constitute a cancer cluster can be difficult. Ive always had a gut feeling that there was something wrong at that high school, he said. ", 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. Even if the brain tumor is not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening if left untreated. McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski Leads an Investigation into the Link Between Colonia High School Alumni and a Rare Brain Tumor. It struck Jason Wisinski that there was something unusual about their cases. That, the "concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members" petitioning on behalf of their school community say, isn't acceptable. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. 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. 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. In many cases, this can lengthen the patients lifespan and avoid permanent damage.. Her sister, Cheryl Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. Mystery as 100 people. 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. The MRI process does not expose anyone to radiation. 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. Ms. Vercoski has also contributed to legal publications as an author and values continuing education for attorneys. "My wife fought like crazy. She was declining quickly, and my attention was elsewhere, Al Lupiano said. "Because cancer is a relatively common disease, cases of cancer can appear to cluster even when there is no connection among them. Both sisters were graduates of Colonia High School. In an update on his Facebook page, Lupiano said the radiological team hired by the township to look for both radiation and radon has concluded. If you are an alumni or staff member of Colonia High School and have developed a brain tumor, contact MLG 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. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. 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, according to the Change.org petition launched Tuesday, complete results aren't even anticipated to be received until the end of May. Al Lupiano, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate and DeCillis' brother-in-law, notified the community in March about his belief in a possible link between radiation at the school and brain tumors . "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has said. ", "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. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. According to the foundation, an estimated 700,000 people in the United Stated are living with a primary brain tumor. After doing some research, Al Lupiano told TODAY that he discovered 107 former . 844-933-0296. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. 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. "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. Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. 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. This is the disclaimer text. Wisinski's wife and sister-in-law both died of brain tumors. 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. She had an inoperable high grade tumor called anaplastic astrocytoma.". Along with MLGs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this case out of the firms Newark office. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. I was highly motivated to keep moving forward.. By Thanksgiving, DeCillis' cognitive abilities deteriorated. Colonia High School . 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A Warner Bros. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student who is now investigating the school. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. "We're just going to wait to find out. 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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 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. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. 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). 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. He had confirmed 15 . As DeCillis health declined, Al Lupiano started wondering why the three of them had brain tumors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The information on this website is for general information purposes only. His wife. 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. Take the survey NOW! The doctor told us that it is extremely rare for a husband and wife to both have brain tumors. 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. 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. Friends that have been affected with MLGs PHDs in Public health, ms. Vercoski will be investigating this out. Encourages students to become life-long learners and contributing members of an ever-changing world DeCillis! If you dont use it, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months Public health ms.! The cookies crime, courts and other mayhem not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening left... 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