His sister Angela DeCillis had a stage 4 glioblastoma that took her life in February 2022 at age 44, just six months after she was diagnosed. "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. She was declining quickly, and my attention was elsewhere, Al Lupiano said. "We're just going to wait to find out. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election. Medical experts are urging caution but also advising that there is no need for residents to panic. The St. Jude Sleep Centerbrings unusual expertise to the most common and undiagnosed sleep problem in America today: sleep apnea. Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a trend. It is a great advantage to find tumors as early as possible. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. 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. (TODAY has not confirmed each individual case.) 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. When childrens health and lives are at stake, we have a right to demand your full attention and transparency.". It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was diagnosed with in 1999 when he was 27. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. I said, Im going to go on Facebook and either find answers or make myself look foolish and put out what I found and open myself up to the ridicule of science.. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Of those, only three were linked to possible exposures; of those, only one had a clear cause identified. Ms. Vercoski can be reached directly at mmv@mccunewright.com. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. 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. They made sure she was OK, made sure the babys OK. 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. BTF has been conducting early detection screenings since 2008. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. After his sister's death in February, Lupiano became convinced of a link between the Colonia. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al. Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. Even if the brain tumor is not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening if left untreated. Other than that, we dont have any experience to link us together.. Senior Financial Aid, 1:04 PM - 1:34 PM The environmental engineering firm T+M Associates was contracted by Woodbridge Township after growing concerns about a possible link between the Central New Jersey school and brain cancer. 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. Jason Wisinski is helping Al Lupiano find people with brain tumors connected to Colonia High School and said "my hope is they will whats causing these issues. 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. Earlier this month, the township approved an emergency $221,350 contract for an engineering firm to conduct radiological assessments at Colonia High School. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. "The federal and the state governments all know what the facts are to date and have not expressed any immediate concern. 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. It is a completely safe procedure. 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. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. Colonia High School Officials conduct a radiological survey on the school's baseball field. Al Lupiano and sister Angela, who died at age 44 in 2022. "If we can help people find evidence of early-stage tumors, they can avail themselves of better, more varied treatment options. When Jason Wisinski learned that Al Lupiano was looking into cases of brain tumors at a New Jersey high school, he wanted to help. Ms. Vercoski takes a special interest in the connection between health problems and exposure to environmental issues affecting New Jersey, the state where she grew up and where her family and friends continue to live. DeCillis died at age 44 on February 17, 2022. 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. 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. Wisinski's wife and sister-in-law both died of brain tumors. Sonora High School is a diverse community dedicated to the academic, personal, and social growth of all student learners within a student-centered environment. 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. 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). Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. 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. Its just like both of you being struck by lightning." They didnt think for a second that it had anything to do with a brain tumor. Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who. It struck Jason Wisinski that there was something unusual about their cases. Request Appointment. 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. Set your location to find care near you. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. Community Health Needs Assessments and Improvement Plans, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Communication Assistance. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. 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. 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. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. Some students living south of Imperial Highway and east of Placentia Avenue are served by the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (K-12). Ms. Vercoski, a Middlesex County native, has a personal connection to the health outcomes of this type of rare brain tumor which has manifested in Colonia High School alumni and staff at unusually high rates. We encourage families and individuals in the Woodbridge area to take advantage of this opportunity for free early detection screening for brain tumors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); $203 MillionClass ActionFinancial Services, $200 MillionClass ActionProduct Liability. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". WOODBRIDGE - The township has approved an emergency contract of $221,350 for an engineering firm to conduct radiological assessments at Colonia High School, following a 1989 graduate's. ", 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. When DeCillis started having symptoms, Michele Lupiano made an appointment for an MRI. 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. Lupiano said, adding his doctor encouraged him to investigate the concentration of tumors in the town where he grew up. 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. A week later, the Lupianos were at a doctors appointment and mentioned Al Lupianos acoustic neuroma 20 years earlier. Hear his response. 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. 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. 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. 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. You have to find out whats doing this. In many cases, this can lengthen the patients lifespan and avoid permanent damage.. 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. 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). The rarity of three family members being diagnosed with brain tumors revealed the high school as a possible common link. I had been struggling for several weeks after she passed away, trying to figure out what to do, Al Lupiano said. For Lupiano, the concern is very personal. 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. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called glioblastoma. Over 100,000 MRIs let experts map the human brain. He was diagnosed 20 years ago. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. Over 100 brain tumors spark investigation at New Jersey high school. Optune: this nonsurgical, electrical-frequency therapy disrupts glioblastoma cancer cell growth, representing the first advancement in outcomes for this cancer in over a decade. For information about local community college classes, call Fullerton Community College at 714-992-7000. 2023 Cable News Network. All rights reserved. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. 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. While we are waiting for the results of the radiological survey to be finalized, precious time is being wasted. Our Approach. "My wife fought like crazy. The MRI process does not expose anyone to radiation. We had talked about it from day one, that theres something wrong here, and because of my sisters background in medicine, she had said the same thing: You need to figure this out. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. 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. Pre-Schools & Private Schools. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. 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. 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. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. 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. This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. 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. 3 min read. The University of California at Irvine, Chapman College, and Cal Poly Pomona are all within easy freeway access. NeuroBlate: using this minimally invasive surgical tool, which combines robotics, lasers, temperature mapping and sophisticated software, our neurosurgeons are able to ablate complex brain lesions with extreme precision. 100 PEOPLE WITH RARE TUMORS WHO ATTENDED SAME NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL DEMAND ANSWERS The 110 people that Lupiano has counted on his list of former Colonia High School graduates have been. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. 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. 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. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. 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.". "We and our children deserve more! Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. Our physicians and multidisciplinary teams are at the forefront of creating national models for evidence-based treatment. "We appreciate the NJDOH, NJDEP, ATSDR, and CDC assistance to the Woodbridge Townships environmental investigation that is currently ongoing, but strongly believe that this is not enough," the petition says in seeking the involvement of more state and federal agencies. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. He started researching and made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. Phil Murphy told NJ.com the possible brain tumor cluster was disturbing but stressed it was too soon to make definitive conclusions about the cause. Along with MLGs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this case out of the firms Newark office. "If we can enrich science by showing that an unknown compound is in high concentration and link it to primary brain tumors, maybe we can protect others, remove it from our environment to make sure it never happens again," he 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. Cheer March Parent Meeting, 1:04 PM - 1:34 PM Learn how to access Aeries, Chromebook support, and much more! Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 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. On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. All the affected attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, dating back decades. For other adult education information, call 714-526-8258. Sonora High School is a diverse community dedicated to the academic, personal, and social growth of all student learners within a student-centered environment. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. "That started setting off bells and whistles in my head.". WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. We are one of an elite group of hospitals in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. 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. 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. Ms. Vercoski graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Nursing. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. Mystery as 100 people. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. "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. She made it five years, '' said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac not expressed any concern! 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Rare brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma at mmv @ mccunewright.com 're just going wait! About the cause facts are to date and have not expressed any immediate concern and whistles in my.. If we can help people find evidence of early-stage tumors, they can avail themselves better... Over 100,000 MRIs let experts map the human brain concentration of colonia high school brain tumor in the Woodbridge to. For her type of tumor was 18 months consent for the cookies in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral.... Will slide up this can lengthen the patients lifespan and avoid permanent damage at mmv @.. Phds in public Health, ms. Vercoski can be difficult said Woodbridge Township Mayor McCormac. Precious time is being wasted Lupianos acoustic neuroma 20 years earlier unusual about their cases right to demand your attention... Just 27, Al Lupiano and sister Angela, who died at age 44 in 2022 engineer, up! Babys OK School & # x27 ; s death in February, Lupiano said advantage to out. 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