Wisinski's wife and sister-in-law both died of brain tumors. 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. "It's certainly concerning because the rate of primary brain tumors is certainly higher than what we would expect in the general population," said Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society. Medical experts are urging caution but also advising that there is no need for residents to panic. 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I dont know if I have ever had another husband and wife who have an acoustic neuroma. Drill March Parent Meeting, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM 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. "We're just going to wait to find out. 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 . "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. 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.". Set your location to find care near you. 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. Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation on the grounds of Colonia High School. 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. All rights reserved. "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. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. "It might feel like it is more prevalent than it actually is.". The University of California at Irvine, Chapman College, and Cal Poly Pomona are all within easy freeway access. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When childrens health and lives are at stake, we have a right to demand your full attention and transparency.". The environmental testing is expected to last a month. 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. 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. Sonora High School is a diverse community dedicated to the academic, personal, and social growth of all student learners within a student-centered environment. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski Leads an Investigation into the Link Between Colonia High School Alumni and a Rare Brain Tumor. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); $203 MillionClass ActionFinancial Services, $200 MillionClass ActionProduct Liability. 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. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Mystery as 100 people. Senior Financial Aid, 1:04 PM - 1:34 PM According to the foundation, an estimated 700,000 people in the United Stated are living with a primary brain tumor. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. What is graupel? I had been struggling for several weeks after she passed away, trying to figure out what to do, Al Lupiano said. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. Colonia High School Officials conduct a radiological survey on the school's baseball field. 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. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. You have to find out if its something thats going to affect my kids, Al Lupiano, 50, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, told TODAY. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Lupiano, however,maintains more testing is needed to definitively prove there is nothing at the school linked to brain cancer. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Hiswife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. 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. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election. We are one of an elite group of hospitals in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM 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). 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. A scan revealed that she had a tumor on the left side of the brain that was 30 millimeters. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. After his sister's death in February, Lupiano became convinced of a link between the Colonia. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The city of Woodbridge has been taking the lead on that front, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for testing at a school that graduated roughly 15,000 people over the last 30 years. "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. (TODAY has not confirmed each individual case.) Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. The rarity of three family members being diagnosed with brain tumors revealed the high school as a possible common link. She graduated from Tulane Law School in 2004 and passed the bar in New York, New Jersey, and California. We had three of us by that date knowing we had brain tumors.. The district is bounded on the north by the Orange / Los Angeles counties' line, on the east by San Bernardino and Riverside counties, on the west by Puente Avenue, and on the South by the City of Fullerton. But patience appears to be wearing thin among some in the community, judging by the petition. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Lupiano has been leading efforts for attention to the potential link ofbrain tumors in the community. If you are one of the former students or staff who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, we want to hear from you. Michele M. Vercoski, a partner of McCune Law Group, is investigating the potential link between the rare brain tumor and many former Colonia High School students out of the MLG's office in Newark, New Jersey. COLONIA, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation on the grounds of Colonia High School. Screenings will utilize Swoop, HyperFines new portable MRI machine, BTF said. 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. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student who is now investigating the school. For information about local community college classes, call Fullerton Community College at 714-992-7000. I pray we find answers," Lupiano said on his Facebook page. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. 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). "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. If students and staff are being subjected to harmful environmental exposures at Colonia High School, swift and urgent action must be taken to protect the future health of the students and staff. As DeCillis health declined, Al Lupiano started wondering why the three of them had brain tumors. Learn more about our pain treatment services. Ms. Vercoski can be reached directly at mmv@mccunewright.com. 2. Earlier:'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. The physical, occupational and speech therapists in our outpatient neurorehabilitationprogram provide skilled, experienced support for people with movement disorders. She basically started becoming disabled, he said. BTF has been conducting early detection screenings since 2008. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was . Along with MLGs PHDs in Public Health, Ms. Vercoski will be investigating this case out of the firms Newark office. Helping students achieve and persist One learner at a time. This coveted designation recognizes our ability to offer the highest-quality stroke care available today. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Diagnostic Neuroradiology Brain Tumors Faculty FY2223 Apply now to Diagnostic Neuroradiology Brain Tumors Faculty FY2223 Job #JPF<br>07794 + Radiological Sciences / David Geffen School Of Medicin / UCLA Position overview Position title:<br> Faculty Application Window Open date:<br> August 19, 2022 Next review date:<br> Monday, Jan 16, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure . 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. Discovery Company. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Additionally, alumni and staff need to know what is causing these brain tumors in order to protect themselves and monitor their health carefully. That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. Gov. "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. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. Our physicians and multidisciplinary teams are at the forefront of creating national models for evidence-based treatment. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. 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. We'll use your location to find clinics, hospitals and doctors closest to you. Doctors thought it was benign at first, but the pathology results indicated otherwise, Al Lupiano recalled. Working closely with patients referring neurologists, our therapists use advanced rehabilitation tools and techniques to help patients optimize their movement and function. It is a completely safe procedure. Our fellowship-trained neurosurgeons and neurointerventional radiologists utilize these and other leading-edge technologies to provide expert care for the full range of neurosurgical conditions, from brain injuries and complex brain tumors to nerve compression and herniated disks. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. When Jason Wisinski learned that Al Lupiano was looking into cases of brain tumors at a New Jersey high school, he wanted to help. Our neurosurgical smart suite the first of its kind in California combines intraoperative MRI and a revolutionary neuro-navigation system that function together like a highly precise GPS system inside the brain, giving patients the best potential for successful outcomes. Nearby is California State University at Fullerton as well as Fullerton Community College. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Those wishing to make an appointment should call 844-283-7226 (844-BTF-SCAN) or visit www.btfscanwoodbridge.com. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. By Thanksgiving, DeCillis' cognitive abilities deteriorated. They made sure she was OK, made sure the babys OK. 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. 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. While that may sound like a high number, determining if a group of cases constitute a cancer cluster can be difficult. IE 11 is not supported. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. 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. 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. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. "We have to know whatwe've found so far, if anything, before we test for the next level," McCormac said. Lupiano started researching. 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. Updated Apr 17, 2022 at 4:10pm. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I dont have any data that says anybody should be concerned right now, and if we had that, we would certainly take action immediately," McCormac said. Former Colonia High School student Al Lupiano first decided to investigate when both his wife and his sister were diagnosed with brain tumors, two decades after he himself had suffered. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. After doing some research, Al Lupiano told TODAY that he discovered 107 former . He joined the search for alumni and former staff at the school who'd also developed brain tumors and told TODAY multiple people have reached out to him. 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. Its just like both of you being struck by lightning." 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. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day - I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. All rights reserved. Lupiano said, adding his doctor encouraged him to investigate the concentration of tumors in the town where he grew up. 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. Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads two environmentalists are using a GPS to test radiation. Knowing we had brain tumors early detection screenings since 2008 staff of Colonia High school Officials conduct radiological! 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