colonia high school brain tumors

There's a vast array of treatments, but again, we're dealing with so many different types of primary brain tumors here that they're all treated very differently. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," said Lupiano. The community is absolutely unnerved and absolutely terrified by what's going on here. That's what makes the numbers staggering," says Lupiano. He was diagnosed 20 years ago. After some digging, a man who attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, discovered more than 100 former students and staff members had been diagnosed with the same sort of brain tumor diagnosed in his wife, his sister and himself. On March 29, 2022, Lupiano wrote an article in a local newsletter, asking for help to identify people who developed the brain tumors, to collect data to plan further steps for answers to a probably cause. But even more rare was the fact that his wife and sister later found out that they had similar medical conditions. There could be a real problem here, and our residents deserve to know if there are any dangers, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said, according to the outlet. An alumnus of Colonia High School in Woodbridege, N.J. is investigating his former high school, claiming he has counted 115 people who attended or worked there to have had a rare brain tumor, according to CBS News. One former student, Al Lupiano, 50, was diagnosed with brain tumors in the 1990s but subsequently recovered, according to NJ.com. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. Radiology, Allied Health, Radiologic Technologist, Neurophysiology. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. 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. He shared a 2020 Emmy for the PBS NewsHour series Stopping a Killer Pandemic and in 2019 received a George FosterPeabodyAwardfor the PBS NewsHour series The Plastic Problem. Nsikan has also worked for NPR, Science News Magazine, Science Magazine, KUSP Central Coast Public Radio, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and as a writer at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University. "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. You can find glioblastoma, which are terminal. The couple's neurologist was baffled. Other toxic elements and compounds could exist at the schools property due to presence of suspected fill material, potential illegal disposal of chemicals or contaminant migration from surrounding properties, Komorek stated in her letter. The school was built in 1967 and currently serves roughly 1,300 students, the NY Post noted. Mystery as 100 people. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. Lupiano's sister passed away in February, 2022 at the young age of 44. An investigation has been launched after more than 100 people who attended a high. 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. Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? Angela has four daughters who have or will go to Colonia High School. What steps are investigators taking to try to figure this out? 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. "There's lots and lots of people calling me, saying, 'Look, I didn't go to the high school, but I live a mile away, and we call our block cancer alley,'" he told Fox News. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Earlier this spring . Lupiano's sister, Angela, died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. There have been some outlier cases. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. The testing actually started April 9, and testers have been seen walking around Colonia High School, taking air samples to test for radiation, said Woodbridge town spokesman John Hagerty. The city of Woodbridge, NJ is conducting an investigation after more than 100 former students and staff at the local Colonia High School were found to have developed brain . "100as of midnight Sunday 4/10, I recorded the 100th case of someone having a primary brain tumor," Lupiano wrote on Facebook last Monday, April 11. 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. The testers are specifically testing for radon levels in the air after 1989 Colonia High School grad Al Lupiano proposed this theory that he found an unusually high number of brain cancers and brain tumors, and said they could be linked to the high school. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. The statewide graduation rate fell slightly, from 91% in 2019-20 to 90.6%. 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. Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. The testers are specifically testing for radon levels in the air after 1989 Colonia High School grad Al Lupiano proposed this theory that he found an unusually high number of brain. Doctor/Physician. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart, while Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. Theyve placed canisters inside the school. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. 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). Accordingly, no further testing or remediation is required or recommended at this time. Two hours later, we received information that my wife also had a primary brain tumor, said Lupiano. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. 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. She also cautioned that additional toxins could be present at the school because she described her initial testing as very limited, meaning it did not include taking air samples or probing deep into the soil or groundwater. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano tells NBC4 New . Columns with an asterisk or 'N' indicate there was no data or it was suppressed to protect student privacy. Lupiano is still looking for any and all Colonia High School alumni to come forward. Brain cancer is relatively rare but very dangerous. "I need your help Facebook. He found a total of 104 former students and faculty, and about half were cancerous. The environmental assessment study at Colonia High School was recently completed, in response to allegations that suggested the school had radiological hazards that contributed to diagnoses. The sudden death of his sister led Lupiano on a research mission about the rare brain tumors. "I had recalled two family friends, the Black sisters, had also passed of these brain tumors," Lupiano said. Komorek said the results of her testing indicate state environmental officials should conduct further tests of the air, soil and building compounds at Colonia. Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. Dr. Joseph Massimino, superintendent of Woodbridge Township School District has commented that they are waiting for more details and formulating next steps, in coordination with New Jersey environmental agencies. A video posted on TikTok video by Dr. Joe Whittington, a board-certified doctor in California gave this issue much needed public attention. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. That is the conclusion federal, state, county and township officials concluded after weeks of radiological testing inside and outside of school grounds in April and May. Environmental engineering firm T+M Associates has been contracted by the township to test for radiation on the grounds of the high school, which was built in 1967. She loves a good music pun and wakes up very very early. Lupianos wife was also diagnosed with a brain tumor, the NY Post reported. 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. ", ALSO READ | Onlookers urged police to charge into TX school: 'Go in there! The reports have been brought to the attention of local officials who are now looking into them. No one knows exactly what it is. The same day my sister was diagnosed (August 2021), I received the devastating news my wife Michele (nee Zawada) also has a very large (3.0 cm), very rare brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma (aka Vestibular Schwannoma) on her left side. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. 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). Some are incredibly aggressive forms of cancer that need very aggressive forms of treatment. The 50-year-old claims the diseases could be traced. 3 min read. As of April 11, Lupiano wrote on this personal Facebook page that he now has tracked about 100 people with rare brain tumors and they all are either Colonia High School graduates or worked in the school building. Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor in 1999. Earlier this year, Lupianos sister lost her battle with a very rare and highly aggressive malignant glioma brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at age 44. Jason Wisinski lost his wife, Janice, 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Lupianoknew that something was very wrong here. His sister succumbed to brain cancer. It should also be noted that not all the reports of primary brain tumors are cancerous. 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. Image: Unsplash. WOODBRIDGE, NJ Air quality testing is being done at Colonia High School this week, while the Woodbridge school district is closed for spring break. The township announced results of an investigation. He is keeping a list. The conversation is available below. Donate today, Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations. Correction 04/26/2022 9.51 a.m. Colonia High School is now the. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. "We're just going to wait to find out. Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. In an acknowledgement of the significance of Komoreks findings, the district sent out a statement to parents and guardians Monday evening. When he started digging and looking for a link, the common link was 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Find NJ.com on Faceboo. Others are benign and very slow-growing that are going to use a different kind of treatment altogether. "What I find alarming is there's truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and that's ionizing radiation, said Lupiano. 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. Some are the most awful worst kinds of brain cancer. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. Lupiano said the rarity of the brain tumors raised concerns of the neurologist they shared since they all grew up in relatively the same neighborhood. Both parents of children in school and current teachers and staff deserve answers. But according to the new results, the school currently poses no danger. WWE Star Sonya Deville Arrested In Atlantic City On Gun Charge, Atlantic City Official & Council Candidate Facing Assault Charge, Former Press of Atlantic City Office Building To Get New Purpose, Atlantic City Area Residents Share Favorite Childhood Memories, Atlantic City, NJ Mayor Leading Free Resident Credit Repair Effort, Atlantic City, NJ Area Great Hurricane Of 1944 (AMAZING PHOTOS), Atlantic Citys Chris Ford Proved That Nice Guys Finish First, NJ Author Discusses What We Can Do to Address Bullying in Schools. 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. After discovering 94 former students and staff from Colonia High School which was built in 1967 had been diagnosed with rare brain tumors, Dr. Joseph Massimino, superintendent of . Advocates, for months, implored state and local officials to undertake more testing. 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. 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. 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. "Woodbridge Township contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CDC, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (which is part of CDC), and the state Department of Health last week, and we've begun initial discussions with them.". Middlesex County's Colonia High School, located in Woodbridge, has made national headlines in recent weeks after over 100 former students and faculty were found to have been diagnosed with. Print |. In a mysterious story, a man from New Jersey named Al Lupiano found out that 100 people with uncommon cancers were linked to Woodbridge Township School District, Colonia High School. Lupiano has been able to confirm that 94 former students and staff of Colonia High School had developed brain tumors, as per coverage in New York Post. A majority of former students of Colonia High School developed glioblastoma, a rare brain tumour. The onset of brain tumors in more than one hundred people who attended or worked at Colonia High School in New Jersey has continued to baffle experts. LOS ANGELES (AP) More than a week after Tom Sizemore suffered a brain aneurysm, a representative says the actor's family is "now deciding end of life matters." "Today, doctors informed . In his first public comments on the matter, Murphy told reporters he is taking this issue "very seriously," but also cautioned: "I don't know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation," Murphy said, according to 101.5. They are leaving radon canisters at the school for 14 days, which will test for elevated levels of radon. I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15, he told CBS News York of the list, which now totals 115 people who had either malignant or benign tumors. Today, he still suffers lingering effects. The cause hasn't been discovered yet, but some researchers suspect . I had stage 4 cancer. So that has already begun. He said he is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from or attend Colonia High School from approximately 1975 to 1995. Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. All three family members attended Colonia High, the NY Post noted. Phil Murphy was asked by reporters for his thoughts on the possible brain cancer cluster at Colonia High. ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, Onlookers urged police to charge into TX school: 'Go in there! I know so many people who have ailments and cancer specifically who lived near there. 2023 New York Public Radio. I don't trust anyone who says that nuclear plant was safe. Lupiano also says people who did not attend the school but live nearby have gotten in touch with him to express their concerns. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. Its not contaminated water. He said, What are the odds of this? It's exceeding one in a billion that three people this closely tied together would all have brain tumors. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Lawrence Township League of Women Voters announces 2022 leadership award winners, No criminal charges for Hillsborough police officer in 2021 fatal shooting, Vigil marks one-year anniversary of Ukrainian War. Faculty with brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a rare brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma of radon wakes... 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