Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called glioblastoma. 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. 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. 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. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. 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). Discovery Company. Parents like Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for those results -- at least at the time Genoni spoke to News 4 last month. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. Its just like both of you being struck by lightning." Youre talking over 105 individuals, not counting families that have been affected, friends that have been affected. Sonora High School is a diverse community dedicated to the academic, personal, and social growth of all student learners within a student-centered environment. They didnt think for a second that it had anything to do with a brain tumor. Community Health Needs Assessments and Improvement Plans, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Communication Assistance. (TODAY has not confirmed each individual case.) It struck Jason Wisinski that there was something unusual about their cases. Frequently, in hazmat, you never find it in the first shot," Lupiano said. Glioblastoma can cause numerous symptoms that can affect and impair daily life. The MRI process does not expose anyone to radiation. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. Request Appointment. Higher Education 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. All Rights Reserved. "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. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. It hit home with my wife that (she) needed to see a doctor and see whats going on, Al Lupiano said. Our Approach. When Jason Wisinski learned that Al Lupiano was looking into cases of brain tumors at a New Jersey high school, he wanted to help. Football Quest Class, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 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. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. Working closely with patients referring neurologists, our therapists use advanced rehabilitation tools and techniques to help patients optimize their movement and function. Along with MLGs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this case out of the firms Newark office. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student who is now investigating the school. 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. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Band Spaghetti Fundraiser. The township announced results of an investigation. This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. "We're just going to wait to find out. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The information on this website is for general information purposes only. In two weeks, the firm will be done running tests, send the data out to be analyzed and report back. On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. 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. Soon after Lupiano posted his page, Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac received phone calls about the group and reached out to Lupiano. 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. "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. 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. Others told NJ.com they want a remote learning option until the investigation is complete. 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. "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," Lupiano said. 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. Lupiano, however,maintains more testing is needed to definitively prove there is nothing at the school linked to brain cancer. 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. 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. The environmental scientist and industrial engineer picked up on a potential pattern. I dont know if I have ever had another husband and wife who have an acoustic neuroma. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al. Early detection is the best hope for slowing the course of the disease, and hopefully reaching tumor remission. Follow her on Twitter to see her recent stories. If you are an alumni or staff member of Colonia High School and have developed a brain tumor, contact MLG today! The school will remain open. Learn more about our pain treatment services. The foundations work is part of a formal research study in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine/NY-Presbyterian in New York. "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. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School Junior, Julia Pagnozzi. 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. Grad Nite Tickets on Sale, 12:40 PM - 1:04 PM 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. We are one of an elite group of hospitals in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. His sister Angela Decillis. "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. 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. The doctor told us that it is extremely rare for a husband and wife to both have brain tumors. "We're just going to wait to find out. ", 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. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day - I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. "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. Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Updated Apr 17, 2022 at 4:10pm. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. We were told we have to make a decision on when to have the baby versus when were supposed to have surgery to try to remove the tumor, he said. 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. In many cases, this can lengthen the patients lifespan and avoid permanent damage.. 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. We'll use your location to find clinics, hospitals and doctors closest to you. What is graupel? Environmental scientist Al Lupiano. DeCillis died at age 44 on February 17, 2022. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. If you were affected or have a tumor or rare cancer, I need your assistance," his Facebook post read. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. 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? He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. 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. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. Ms. Vercoski can be reached directly at mmv@mccunewright.com. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. 2. 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. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. Learn more about personalized stroke services, treatments and services. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski Leads an Investigation into the Link Between Colonia High School Alumni and a Rare Brain Tumor. Al Lupiano, a graduate of Colonia High School, tells Fox News Digital that since posting his theory about an apparent link between brain tumor diagnoses in 1990s and early 2000s graduates of . 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I needed to ask for help, he said. 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 . Earlier:'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. 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. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. 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). "This is only the tip of the iceberg. Additional information is available by visiting www.braintumorfoundation.org or calling 212- 489-0600. It turned out that it was not benign, but it was a malignant glioblastoma, a very very aggressive cancer, he explained. MLG is a national Environmental and Class Action law firm serving the victims of environmental and corporate negligence across the country. appreciated. "Right now we've talked to every federal and state agency possible and no one has indicated that the school is not safe," McCormac said. That is, clusters of cancer can arise by chance," according to NCI. After doing some research, Al Lupiano told TODAY that he discovered 107 former . "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has said. Earlier this month, the township approved an emergency $221,350 contract for an engineering firm to conduct radiological assessments at Colonia High School. 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. Ive always had a gut feeling that there was something wrong at that high school, he said. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. Over 100 brain tumors spark investigation at New Jersey high school. 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. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. McCormac said the radon testing is done and has been sent to the lab. Ms.Vercoskispassion is helping underserved groups receive fair and just compensation for harm they have experienced. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Screenings will utilize Swoop, HyperFines new portable MRI machine, BTF 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. 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. 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