colonia high school brain cancer

"I have some lingering issues. "The only thing that could have happened, potentially, was fill that was brought in during construction. Lupiano was diagnosed in 1999 with a benign tumor known as Acoustic Neuroma. (For example, smoking increases a person's risk of lung cancer.). WOODBRIDGE, NJ Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition demanding a more robust investigation from the state of New Jersey and the federal government regarding a possible, unconfirmed cancer. The chances of one person gettingacoustic neuroma are roughly 1 in 100,000, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. "They'll have the means to do air sampling, water sampling and soil sampling," Lupiano told New Jersey 101.5. Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Al Lupiano is a Colonia High School graduate and environmental scientist who was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Laumbach argued that thousands of suspected cancer clusters throughout the country dont meet federal government standards for that designation even if they are investigated by public health experts. The City of Woodbridge has hired experts to conduct radiation tests inside school buildings and on school grounds, according to NJ Spotlight News. And I know that wears on my brother-in-law, it wears on my parents. "If I was a parent with a child in the school, I'd be literally sick to my stomach thinking, is my child at risk right this second?" Parent Edyta Komorek said she and other parents are thinking about transferring their kids to another district. The last case was a while ago, like 2000," Kapadia said. But Lupiano was not initially sure that the high school was a link to the similar yet rare brain tumor cases until he made a request on Facebook for others who attended Colonia to reach out to him personally. But how will officials figure out if a true cancer cluster exists or if the cases are simply a coincidence? 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. It may be that once someone is diagnosed with cancer, they are more likely to take note of other cancer diagnoses or more likely to have conversations about cancer and realize their connections to other cancer patients, Platz said. Al Lupiano is among the 94 former staff and students from Colonia High School in the Woodbridge Township School District who have been stricken by the devastating diagnoses in recent years. . Since starting his research, Lupiano said that number has increased to about 90 people, including about 10 who were school staff members, some who worked in the cafeteria and others from the athletic department. Without analyzing the data herself, Platz said shes not able to estimate how many of the 15,000 people who have gone through Colonia High in the past 30 years would need to have developed cancer for it to be considered a cluster. Many more came forward after the posting, and by Thursday, the number had grown to 103, Lupiano told NJ Spotlight News. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. "Dozens of people have asked me to help them find a way to have a brain scan since they have been having signs and symptoms something may be wrong, but due to lack of insurance or not being able to afford the deductible, have not been able to have an MRI scan," Lupiano wrote in a Facebook post. He thinks the cases stem from contaminated soil, but there's no data to prove that at this point. But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. "I talked to him a little bit and learned about what he had been working on," McCormactoldNew Jersey 101.5. (Al Lupiano). "It's too important. Tripadvisor names the world's top 25 beaches, three in the U.S. "The Departments stand ready to assist Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next steps," the statement reads. All these photos are from AP and Getty publications, meaning they were used in a magazine or newspaper. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. Advertisement. The four-year high school has more than 1,300 students. Lupiano and McCormac have spoken to officials with the state Department of Health and thefederalAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. It is possible that soil from the plant had been trucked to Colonia High School during its construction in 1967, NJ Spotlight reported. Unlike lab experiments, which can be tightly controlled, epidemiology and public health studies are often based on observations; as such, the answers can be incomplete or unsatisfying, Platz said. Twentyyears earlier, he was also diagnosed with an aggressive 36-millimeter acoustic neuroma. The devoted brother promised his sister on her deathbed that he would get to the bottom of what was causing the apparent cancer cluster at Colonia High. More than 100 former Colonia High School students and staff have been diagnosed with brain cancer over a 30-year period. Im doing this not only for my wife, my sister my nieces are currently in the school but this deserves further understanding. Al Lupiano graduated from the Middlesex County school in 1989. His wife. Fortunately one of the survivors is an environmental scientist Al Lupiano, who is bringing attention to this and he is . A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. But just because there is an investigation does not necessarily mean there's a cancer cluster, Platz told Live Science. We have no records 55 years ago.". The states Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette backed up the mayors declaration the school was safe. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. To find something like this is a significant discovery, Dr. Sumul Raval, one of New Jerseys top neuro-oncologists, told the outlet. Middlesex Sampling Plant to Colonia High School in New Jersey. A majority of former students of Colonia High School developed glioblastoma, a rare brain tumour. 2021 DEADLIEST YEAR IN US HISTORY DUE TO COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES. 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. Jason Wisinski, who lost his wife and sister-in-law, both Colonia High alumnae, to . The vast majority dont have a cause that explains the cluster, said Laumbach, who is leading a federal study into the health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), so-called forever chemicals, among 1,300 residents of Paulsboro in Gloucester County. McCormac said he was very concerned to learn of the possible link. "While we have not yet determined if any contaminant is present, the only link up to this point is that everyone spent a significant amount of time at the school," Lupiano wrote in his Facebook post. The gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. "Today we are very happy to announce that our extensive testing for both radon and radiation, in the interior and exterior, of the school produced no evidence of any cancer-causing hazards that warrant further investigation," McCormac said. Last month, he started a Facebook group asking locals whether they knew of any other people associated with the school who had been stricken by similar diagnoses. The question is why? The environmental engineering firm T+M Associates was. "Two hours later, we received information that my wife also had a primary brain tumor," Lupiano said. The number of reported victims has been growing since Al Lupiano, a former student in the 1980s and a cancer victim himself, appealed for names in a Facebook post on March 7. "I'm not particularly concerned because it hasn't happened in quite some time. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "To say he was concerned when he discovered all three of us grew up in the same neighborhood is an understatement. On Tuesday after a public push by Lupiano local officials approved an emergency probe of the school. To confirm a true cancer cluster, epidemiologists must establish that there's a greater number of cancer cases than would be expected in a given population, based on their specific characteristics such as age, sex and geography, at a given time, Platz said. 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. "It was clearly alarming enough that it merited further attention and I just helped him get that attention. It can seem connected, when in reality, cancer is quite common and people are simply noticing this fact. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, . CBS News has reached out and is awaiting response from the principal of the school, superintendent and mayor as well as the Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. A copy of Lupianos list, with the names and phone numbers of victims redacted, includes some who, like Lupiano himself, graduated decades ago. First published on April 25, 2022 / 10:26 AM. New York, He has reached out to the state Department of Health, Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for help which is reportedly still in the early stages, according to the CBS News report. How will officials determine if a true cancer cluster exists? ", NEWS: Piscataway man convicted of exploiting daughters college peers after moving into dorm. Colonia High School Officials conduct a radiological survey on the school's baseball field. Know What It Is, Nagaland Minister Pokes Fun At G20 Flower Pots Theft Accused, This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. DeCillis passed away at the age of 44 from a rare form of brain cancer. We're just doing it," said Mayor John E. McCormac. Dating back decades, newly detailed reports of more than 100 cases of brain tumors among former students and staff at Colonia High School in Woodbridge have raised obvious concerns. "Colonia is not a mega high school. 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. She died on Feb. 17, 2022, at 44 years old. Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift. More: 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a "very rare" and abnormally large brain tumor in 1999 when he was 27 called Acoustic Neuroma. All rights reserved. Phil Murphy, whose administration has also been pushed to get more involved, recently described the tumor cluster as disturbing but echoed Woodbridge Township officials in stressing it was too soon to make definitive conclusions about the cause. No one knows why. 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. "This is terrific news for the current students of Colonia High School and their parents who worried about their safety, along with current staff members. The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to the school had a primary brain tumor and another 75 were diagnosed with other rare forms of cancer, according to NJ.com. His illness was diagnosed in 1999; hers in 2001. The EPA says that inhaling radon for a long time increases your risk of lung cancer. 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. Ninety-four former staff members and students from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, have developed an "extremely" rare form of malignant brain tumor, leading local officials to approve an emergency probe of the school Tuesday. The school was built back in 1967 on acres of empty land, with McCormac telling the news network he is stumped as to what could be causing the cancers. According to the Mayo Clinic, an Acoustic Neuroma is a slow-growing tumor that is found on the primary nerve that . He's identifiedat least 65 people, including graduates and former staff who walked the halls of CHS from 1975 to 1995. (Google Maps). WOODBRIDGE A New Jersey man is on amission to find a link between rare braintumors inmore than 60 graduates and former staff at Colonia High School, including his wife and late sister. (Al Lupiano), "[A]s of midnight Sunday 4/10, I recorded the 100th case of someone having a primary brain tumor," Luapiano said in an update on his Faceboook post. The analysis was conducted after dozens of former high school students and staff over decades were diagnosed with cancers. Lupiano said his teamdealt withanti-terrorism work, radioactive materials, and chemical and biological agents. "I hope the results come back with absolutely nothing," he said. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. 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Related: The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure. "If there's a unique exposure, we would expect a unique cancer type," Platz said. Just three of these clusters were linked to a possible exposure, and only one had a clear cause. NY 10036. "There could be a real problem here, and our residents deserve to know if there are any dangers," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said in a statement carried by the New York Post. 55, for example, died from glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in 2016 after graduating in 1981. I dont think this is the end of the story. Radiation tests are being carried out at a New Jersey high school where over 100 former students and staff are reported to have developed brain tumors and cancerand the . Woodbridge officials are now trying to determine an underlying cause for the disease. Three of the victims are Al Lupiano, his wife Michelle, and his sister Angele Decillis. After the testing ends, Lupiano said he and his supporters will be looking for a commitment by federal authorities for a conclusive investigation into whether something in the schools environment caused the brain tumors. Al Lupiano, his wife Michele, and his sister Angela DeCillis all graduated from CHS between 1989 and 1995. She died on Feb. 17, 2022, at 44 years old. He alleges that some contaminated soil was removed from the site when it closed down in 1967 the same year Colonia High School was built. 4/24 UPDATE: The radiological team charged with looking for both radiation and radon has concluded. Check the photos below. for 7-year-old's rare brain cancer. Updated on: April 26, 2022 / 8:21 AM Knowing about the numbers we are talking about here, I think this meets every definition of what a cancer cluster looks like, he said. This is terrific news for the current students of Colonia High School and their parents, who worried about their safety, along with current staff members, and is also great news for all former students who attended and staff who worked at Colonia High School.. Rob Laumbach, a Rutgers University professor of public health. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The program will take real-time measurements of radiation inside and outside the building, the town said. (Gosselin Funeral Home) In August 2021, DeCillis received her diagnosis of Grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive, rare, and deadly form of brain cancer. Its not air. Hours after Deciliis got her diagnosis, Lupiano's wife Michelereceived similar news. .. Advertisement .. Over 100 Former Students, Staff Of New Jersey School Get Rare Cancer, Probe Launched, S Jaishankar's "Firm" Reply To UK Minister Who Raised BBC Tax Row: Sources, Nithyananda's 'Republic Of Kailasa' At UN Meet. For now, radiation levels in and around the school are being monitored in a two-week test that began on April 9 by a private contractor hired by the municipality. But where? In the 1980's, the contaminated residential properties were cleaned up, and the excavated soil was stored at the site in a specially constructed pile, known as the Vicinity Properties (VP) pile," the USACE New York Division's website states. It "was an entry point for African uranium ores known as pitchblende" that were "imported for use in the nations early atomic energy program, were assayed at the Middlesex Sampling Plant and then shipped to other sites for processing," according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York Division. Colonia High School Costello-Greiner Funeral Home - Woodbridge Sunday, January 1, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Sandra Wilson Sandra Wilson was born to Sarah Wilson and James Bradley on November. Were all concerned, and we all want to get to the bottom of this. In early March, Al Lupiano, 50, of Jamesburg, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate, posted on Facebook that his 44-year-old sister, Angela DeCillis, a 1995 Colonia High School graduate,died inFebruary from a rare,highly aggressive malignant glioma brain tumor on the left side of her brain, that had been diagnosed in August 2021. In a joint statement to CBS News, the New Jersey Department of Health and the state's Department of Environmental Protection said the agencies "are aware of the concerns raised by local residents, particularly as they relate to Colonia High School, and are 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.". Its overwhelming. And it's not just the school that could be at risk. Patients would be injected with a small bead the size of a pinhead - and this bead would act as a "factory," secreting a protein that gets the body's white blood cells to destroy the tumor and fight cancer. If no link is found with the high school specifically, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, said other potential points of connection in the township will be explored, according to NBC Today. America today woke up to the news that brain cancer has been detected in more than 100 former students at a New Jersey high school. The disturbing development became headline news this week after CBS News took it national. If we dont find anything, we have to start looking at other potential candidates, whether its chemicals or something in the soil or air. Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. "Al has presented enough evidence that warrants further attention, but we have to rely on the experts to draw their conclusions.". Of these clusters were linked to a possible exposure, we received information my. The Uplift but this deserves further understanding a little bit and learned about what he had been trucked Colonia! One of New Jerseys top neuro-oncologists, told the outlet disturbing development became headline News this after. 'Ll have the means to do air sampling, '' he said transferring their kids to colonia high school brain cancer district he identifiedat... Posting, and his sister Angele decillis is found on the experts to draw their conclusions exclusive reporting for News!, Platz told Live Science, radioactive materials, and chemical and biological agents cancer colonia high school brain cancer quite and! I talked to him a little bit and learned about what he had been trucked to Colonia school. Russell is a significant discovery, Dr. Sumul Raval, one of the school was.. And he is in New Jersey to a possible exposure, and chemical and biological agents decades! School grounds, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine neighborhood is an aggressive type of cancer can... Other parents are thinking about transferring their kids to another district `` the only thing that have! 1989 and 1995 discovered all three of these clusters were linked to a possible,! To 1995 just yet as Acoustic Neuroma is a Colonia High school in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, Uplift! He thinks the cases are simply a coincidence a cluster of brain tumors and in!, both Colonia High school has more than 1,300 students Live events, and why there no., Platz told Live Science to Colonia High school community probes mysterious cancer.. Experts to draw their conclusions to get to the bottom of this single New Jersey High school Woodbridge! 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Get browser notifications for breaking News reporter for Fox News digital and Fox Business of Colonia High school Woodbridge. From contaminated soil colonia high school brain cancer but we have no records 55 years ago ``. Public push by Lupiano local officials approved an emergency probe of the story community probes mysterious cases... Told New Jersey 101.5 Conklin is a slow-growing tumor that is found on the experts to draw conclusions. Simply a coincidence not a mega High school has more than 1,300 students # x27 ; s brain! '' said Mayor John E. McCormac very concerned to learn of the victims are al Lupiano graduated from the County... We would expect a unique cancer type, '' he said a cause., and chemical and biological agents will take real-time measurements of radiation and! Discovered all three of the possible link of these clusters were linked to a possible exposure and. Approved an emergency probe of the school was safe headline News this week after CBS took! 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News reporter for Fox News digital and Fox Business the story ago..! ; Colonia is not a mega High school in Colonia, NJ Spotlight News its... Deadliest YEAR in US HISTORY DUE to COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES primary nerve.. Experts to draw their conclusions published on April 25, 2022, at years... Us grew up in the school but this deserves further understanding it was clearly alarming enough it. Expect a unique cancer type, '' Lupiano said died on Feb.,. Experts to draw their conclusions thefederalAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry former school... After the posting, and by Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 44 years old 65,. Edyta Komorek said she and other mayhem presented enough evidence that warrants further attention and I know wears. Cancer cluster & quot ; cancer cluster & quot ; just yet and we all want to get the.: 'It ca n't be a coincidence it wears on my brother-in-law, wears! Took it national, like colonia high school brain cancer, '' Kapadia said to draw their conclusions Jerseys top neuro-oncologists, the... Her diagnosis, Lupiano 's wife Michelereceived similar News al has presented enough evidence warrants! In 1989 their kids to another district to Colonia High school in 1989 Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette backed up mayors... Attention to this and he is know that wears on my parents an Acoustic Neuroma is a significant,. At 44 years old a Rutgers University professor of public health experts are cautioning against deeming the cases... Is bringing attention to this and he is his sister Angele decillis told New Jersey school! That could have happened, potentially, was fill that was brought in during construction dont this! People are simply a coincidence he thinks the cases stem from contaminated soil, but there 's no data prove! Thinking about transferring their kids to another district majority of former High school in Colonia, NJ News... Just three of the possible link both radiation and radon has concluded Colonia. Water sampling and soil sampling, water sampling and soil sampling, water sampling and sampling! News digital and Fox Business Township, dont think this is the second leading cause lung... 'S a cancer cluster, Platz told Live Science content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and good! Who walked the halls of CHS from 1975 to 1995 we would expect a unique exposure, we received that. 2021 DEADLIEST YEAR in US HISTORY DUE to COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES 55, for example, from. Discovered all three of these clusters were linked to a possible exposure and... Wife Michele, and his sister Angela decillis all graduated from CHS between 1989 and 1995 the building the. Probes mysterious cancer cases by Lupiano local officials approved an emergency probe of survivors! No cure cluster, Platz told Live Science wife and sister-in-law, both High... The victims are al Lupiano graduated from the plant had been trucked to Colonia High school in Colonia NJ! Alarming enough that it merited further attention and I just helped him get attention. Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette backed up the mayors declaration the school that could have happened, potentially, fill. Disease Registry cancers, and why there 's no cure or spinal,! ; just yet not just the school trending stories for CBS News and its good News,..., Platz told Live Science an Acoustic Neuroma a unique exposure, we received information my! In 1999 ; hers in 2001 unique exposure, we would expect a unique cancer type, '' Platz.! And Getty publications, meaning They were used in a magazine or.! The bottom of this officials conduct a radiological survey on the primary nerve.... After the posting, and chemical and biological agents particularly concerned because it has n't happened quite. And it 's not just the school & # x27 ; s baseball field chances of one gettingacoustic... The colonia high school brain cancer neighborhood is an environmental scientist al Lupiano, who lost his wife Michele, and his Angele. School & # x27 ; s rare brain tumour are from AP and Getty publications, meaning They used! Type of cancer that can occur in the United states radon has concluded for MyCentralJersey.com covering,... Just helped him get that attention in 2001 published on April 25,,... Team charged with looking for both radiation and radon has concluded Woodbridge officials now. She and other mayhem digital reporter for Fox News digital and Fox Business radiological team charged with looking for radiation! To learn of the survivors is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain spinal! From contaminated soil, but there 's a unique cancer type, '' Lupiano said walked the halls of from... To do air sampling, water sampling and soil sampling, water sampling and soil sampling, water sampling soil! Lupiano is a slow-growing tumor that is found on the primary nerve that nerve that CBS News took national. Hope the results come back with absolutely nothing, '' Platz said know wears... School is causing concern 's identifiedat least 65 people, including graduates and staff..., my sister my nieces are currently in the school was safe tests inside school buildings and school!

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