In April, the township entered an emergency agreement with T&M Associates, of Middletown, for professional environmental engineering services for a radiological assessment of Colonia High in an amount not to exceed $221,350. What I find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and thats ionizing radiation. The testing was prompted after township officials learned of various social media posts related to several instances of brain tumors and brain cancer among students and faculty of CHS from . Lupiano became focused as to why all three of them had contracted these rare brain tumors. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address That is the question residents are hoping to answer in the Colonia section of Woodbridge. There have been some outlier cases. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Facebook Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Whittington believes that the Colonia High School students and staff have developed glioblastoma multiforme, a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor that invades the nearby brain tissue. Theres no telling if they're going to find answers here. (RELATED: Video Shows Man Repeatedly Running Over Woman With SUV After Minor Incident). The reports have been brought to the attention of local officials who are now looking into them. "It's not something done to us due to bad habits, said Lupiano. WOODBRIDGE Levels of radiation in and around Colonia High School were found to be consistent with typical background levels of radiation found in New Jersey and no further testing is warranted. Concerns were raised by Al Lupiano, a 1989 graduate of Colonia High School, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor along with his wife Michele and sister Angela DeCillis, both of whom had. The conversation is available below. He added that the Environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved in the investigation. T&M Associates subcontracted Cabrera Services Inc., a radiological environmental and remediation company, of East Hartford, Connecticut. They said they took your temperature. A few weeks ago, we very suddenly and tragically lost my 44-year-old sister Angela (CHS-95) to a very rare and highly aggressive malignant glioma brain tumor (Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)) discovered on her left side, he wrote in the newsletter. Luciano has reported his findings to Colonia High School. He told WABC that he lost his wife Janice to an inoperable brain tumor 10 years ago and that her sister Cheryl died from brain cancer in 2015. Dozens of former teachers and. On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. Massimino sent the same statement to NJ Advance Media Monday. Lupiano's sister, Angela, died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. Since March . All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. Such odds help to explain the public surprise after NJ Advance Media reported in early April that New Jerseyans living in the neighboring communities of Woodbridge and Colonia have developed various forms of brain tumors. But I want to be careful to say that it's very early in the investigation. WOODBRIDGE - Work is underway to create a portal for people with ties to Colonia High School who have developed brain tumors to share information with the New . Hochul deflects when asked about 'good cause' eviction bill, Judge: Former coach's discrimination lawsuit against New York Giants and NFL can proceed, Supreme Court justices pour water on NYs push to save mob-busting seaport watchdog, NJ Legislature OKs bill to make landlords, sellers warn residents about past floods. Nsikan runs the health and science desk at WNYC/Gothamist. "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. Additionally, T&M Associates has begun conducting historic site research to obtain any and all necessary records related to the construction of Colonia High School when it was built in 1967, through to the present. Environmental scientists are investigating reports of increased instances of brain tumors at Colonia High School in New Jersey. Would they just end it at that?. Last year, Lupianos wife and sister also developed brain tumors, as first reported byCBS New York. Youre 98.6, youre fine, go home. Its not something done to us due to bad habits, Lupiano told CBS News. Komorek, Lupiano and several other parents criticized the assessment which did not include taking soil or water samples for not being thorough enough to put their minds at ease, despite assurances from state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. No one knows why. Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. In an acknowledgement of the significance of Komoreks findings, the district sent out a statement to parents and guardians Monday evening. An investigation into the possible link between Colonia High School and cancer found no radiological hazards that warranted further investigation. By pairing specialists and experts in the field of cancer with robust resources, facilities, and technologies, Hackensack Meridian Cancer Care is committed to getting patients back to the life they love. Brain cancer is relatively rare but very dangerous. Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac immediately and responsibly got engaged. "They are working with the Township to review the test findings and prepare a course of action if necessary.". Part Time, Per diem position. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. What treatments are available for the afflicted? "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," he 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. McCormac, along with schools Superintendent Joseph Massimino; Shawn LaTourette, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and Judith Persichilli, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, announced the results of the radiation testing during a press conference at CHS on May 26. This all came to fruition in August of last year, and it just startled Lupiano. Earlier this year, Colonia graduate Al Lupiano, also an environmental scientist, discovered more than 100 teachers and alums of the school who reported having brain tumors, drawing international attention to the community and sparking state and local investigations. Komorek presented her findings Monday to Woodbridge superintendent Joseph Massimino, Colonia principal Kenneth Pace and Woodbridge Education Association president Brian Geoffroy. Its not contaminated water. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? Lupiano was diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer) when he was 27 years old, about 25 years ago. He said he is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from or attend Colonia High School from approximately 1975 to 1995. Donate today, Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations. They may need to excavate soil underneath the school. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. There's a lot of speculation running rampant about what could be causing this, but to date, there has been nothing found. This is also great news for all former students who attended and staff to work at CHS since it opened back in 1968., McCormac said they sympathize with anyone who has experienced brain tumors and brain cancers, especially those who lost loved ones to the terrible disease, but there is no cause-and-effect relation between those illnesses and the buildings or grounds at CHS.. Woodbridge Township has contracted environmental engineering firm T&M Associates to carry out radiation tests at Colonia High School to investigate a possible link between the school and the reported brain tumors, according to New York news outlet WABC. "That started setting off bells and whistles in my head.". pic.twitter.com/mL9bVg9nE4, Katy Tur Reports (@KatyOnMSNBC) April 1, 2022, A majority of the graduates and staff members suffering from the condition were at the school between 1975 and 2000, but some students went through the school as recently as 2014, the NY Post continued. Al Lupiano revealed he had a brain tumor 20 years ago, before his wife had one and so did his sister - who died in February aged just 44. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," said Lupiano. The school is expected to remain open during this time. Three weeks later, Komorek collected a caulk sample from a northern exterior wall of the school and sent it to another state-certified lab in Fairfield. Unfortunately, it turned out to be stage 4 glioblastoma. So that has already begun. 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. All Rights Reserved. WOODBRIDGE - Work is underway to create a portal for people with ties to Colonia High School who have developed brain tumors to share information with the New Jersey Department of Health. The mother of two Colonia High students who believed not enough environmental testing was done in the aftermath of reports of a possible brain tumor cluster connected to the school told NJ Advance . His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. 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. It's not air. Earlier this spring . Stanmyre joined WNYC's Morning Edition host Michael Hill to explain the latest on these cases and what the investigation could entail. ", "Just the sheer numbers of cases he's found is staggering," McCormac continued. Woodbridge will not get preliminary test results until after this Saturday, April 23, said Hagerty. Its not something in soil. Environmental engineers have been testing for radiation at Colonia High School in New Jersey after reports that over 100 former students and staff members were diagnosed with brain tumors. As per this resolution approved at their April 5 meeting, the Woodbridge town Council hired T & M Associates and Cabrera Services, Inc. to do the radon testing (officially called "environmental engineering services for radiological assessment") at the high school. Lupiano has spearheaded a public push for answers after he started a Facebook group focused on former Colonia students and the rare brain cancer, the outlet noted. 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. Job specializations: Healthcare. Earlier this year, 1989 Colonia High School graduate Al Lupiano developed a list of more than 120 people who were students, teachers or staff members at the school from the 1970s to 1990s. But we'd love to be able to rule out the school.". All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. It has been lightly edited for clarity. Some of these are non-cancerous, yet very debilitating forms of brain tumor. The lists, which are sorted by county and include a separate list for charter schools, also include a second graduation rate, which excludes students whose special education IEPs allow them to qualify for diplomas despite not meeting typical coursework and attendance requirements. Both had graduated from Colonia High School, the news outlet reported. Three of the victims are Al Lupiano, his wife Michelle, and his sister Angele Decillis. Is it a cancer cluster or just a coincidence? ", First Patch report: Brain Tumor Link To Colonia High School 'Credible,' Town's Mayor Says, Get great local news about YOUR town and state. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. All three family members attended Colonia High, the NY Post noted. Before National Geographic, he worked for more than four years at PBS NewsHour, where he co-created anaward-winning video series named ScienceScope. As the school remains open during the investigation, some students are concerned. The ground and air testing will begin on Saturday. The reports he got back were startling, and he saw patterns emerging. Early testing at the Woodbridge school by a consultant for the . Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. Radiology, Allied Health, Radiologic Technologist, Neurophysiology. Print |. She loves a good music pun and wakes up very very early. His wife was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, which is a benign brain tumor and is the exact same brain tumor that Al Lupiano himself was diagnosed with 22 years ago. The testing was prompted after township officials learned of various social media posts related to several instances of brain tumors and brain cancer among students and faculty of CHS from approximately 1975-99. 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 soil also tested positive for excessive levels of chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide all pesticides, the report said. The cause hasn't been discovered yet, but some researchers suspect . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In a statement to CBS News, Lupiano said he is anxiously awaiting the results of the two-week-long radiological survey which concluded this weekend and he anticipates he will receive the results in weeks. Lupiano also says people who did not attend the school but live nearby have gotten in touch with him to express their concerns. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. At the time of the CBS interview in late March, Lupiano claimed to have confirmed 65 cases of rare brain tumors, all affecting people who either attended or worked at Colonia High School. Job in West Orange - Essex County - NJ New Jersey - USA , 07052. Lupiano's quest for information took him to Facebook last month, and that list of people who went to or worked at Colonia High School - and have a primary brain tumor - is now closing in on 100 cases. For her part, Komorek said she took it upon herself to do the independent testing for my own peace of mind, to sleep at night, and for my girls to remain at the school., I was hoping it was going to come back negative, she added. While generally only life threatening if left untreated, radiation and surgical removal typically leaves individuals with numerous debilitations including chronic headaches, balance issues, fatigue, deafness, slurred speech, inability to blink, and facial paralysis (to name only a few), and that assumes it doesnt begin to regrow in the future. That's what makes the numbers staggering," says Lupiano. As a scientist, I want to find answers. The mother, Edyta Komorek, who has worked as an environmental scientist since 2006, said she collected dust, window caulk and soil samples from Colonia that tested for excessive levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide all carcinogenic compounds that can lead to cancer and other diseases. Colonia is not a mega high school. I didnt feel that my kids were safe there until actual soil, groundwater and air samples were collected and nobody wanted to do it.. Google Maps. You can find glioblastoma, which are terminal. These tumors are even more rare occurring in 10 out of 1,000,000 individuals.. Jason Wisinski is another person affected by the spate of tumor cases. Fortunately one of the survivors is an environmentalscientist Al Lupiano, who is bringing attention to this and he is relentlessly looking for answers. Theyve placed canisters inside the school. "In conclusion, the results of the radiological investigation at the high school and grounds are within the normal variation of background radiation levels in New Jersey and are therefore not indicative of concern over radiological exposure to individuals at the site," state DEP Commisioner Shawn LaTourette wrote in a letter to the township. The Anti-Defamation League said the phrase at the center of the question was popularized as a trolling campaign by members of 4chan a notorious anonymous message board and was adopted by . I had stage 4 cancer. Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. The municipal council in Woodbridge, which oversees Colonia High School, approved an emergency contract earlier this month to start radiological testing of the grounds at the high school. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. How did this incident come to light in the first place? 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