Its just extremely rare. He investigated whether other people who grew up nearby had experienced brain tumors, too. 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. 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. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School Junior, Julia Pagnozzi. We had three of us by that date knowing we had brain tumors.. 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. Her sister, Cheryl Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. 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By Thanksgiving, DeCillis' cognitive abilities deteriorated. When DeCillis started having symptoms, Michele Lupiano made an appointment for an MRI. 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. Over 100 cases of brain tumors and other cancers have been discovered in former students of Colonia High School, constituting a cancer cluster according to Stanford's Dr. Paul Graham. Soon after Lupiano posted his page, Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac received phone calls about the group and reached out to Lupiano. 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. All Rights Reserved. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. 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? His wife. He was diagnosed 20 years ago. The. "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. She graduated from Tulane Law School in 2004 and passed the bar in New York, New Jersey, and California. I called him and asked him how we could be of help, McCormac told TODAY. 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. 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. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. 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. Learn more about our pain treatment services. 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. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day - I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. She left the nursing profession in 2001 to pursue a legal career with a special emphasis on using her nursing knowledge to help those in legal need. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. His sister Angela Decillis. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Departments stand ready to assist Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next steps. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. Lupiano started researching. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. 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. It is a great advantage to find tumors as early as possible. Facebook Colonia High School. Learn how to access Aeries, Chromebook support, and much more! 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Parents like Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for those results -- at least at the time Genoni spoke to News 4 last month. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Her hands were shaking, like violently shaking, and my wife basically went into a grand mal seizure (which causes violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness)," Wisinki TODAY. 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. Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. 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. The doctor told us that it is extremely rare for a husband and wife to both have brain tumors. Mystery as 100 people. 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. Higher Education "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has said. The MRI process does not expose anyone to radiation. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. It hit home with my wife that (she) needed to see a doctor and see whats going on, Al Lupiano said. 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.. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. NHS Weekly Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. As DeCillis health declined, Al Lupiano started wondering why the three of them had brain tumors. Earlier:'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. The rarity of three family members being diagnosed with brain tumors revealed the high school as a possible common link. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. While we are waiting for the results of the radiological survey to be finalized, precious time is being wasted. If you are one of the former students or staff who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, we want to hear from you. (The doctor) just looked at me and said, Ive been doing this a long time. Ms. Vercoski is a tireless advocate that has gotten justice and great results for her clients. She had (another) pretty bad seizure about 31 weeks.. 3 min read. Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called . 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. All rights reserved. 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. Hear his response. You can use this area for legal statements, copyright information, a mission statement, etc. Working closely with patients referring neurologists, our therapists use advanced rehabilitation tools and techniques to help patients optimize their movement and function. Incoming Freshmen Registration (A-M), 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 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. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Set your location to find care near you. 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. "We're just going to wait to find out. ", "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. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Theres some statistical analysis that has to get done, Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, told TODAY. 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. Additionally, alumni and staff need to know what is causing these brain tumors in order to protect themselves and monitor their health carefully. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. You have to find out whats doing this. 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 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. 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