The institute predicts about 290,000 people will develop breast cancer in 2022 compared to 25,000 for brain cancer. Again too early to tell yet, I think, to draw any definitive conclusions.". Last year, Lupianos wife and sister also developed brain tumors, as first reported byCBS New York. This is definitely not normal.. Unfortunately, it turned out to be stage 4 glioblastoma. This all began last year when Al Lupiano made a startling discovery. Lupiano also lost his younger sister to the disease in February at the age of 44, the outlet continued. T&M Associates subcontracted Cabrera Services Inc., a radiological environmental and remediation company, of East Hartford, Connecticut. Lupiano says that most of the people on his list were at the high school prior to 1997. At the time, the medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. 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. But even more rare was the fact that his wife and sister later found out that they had similar medical conditions. NJ cluster of brain cancer prompts investigation, We rely on your support to make local news available to all, Astoria pool will be closed this summer for renovations: Parks, Gov. He has contacted: Mayor McCormac confirmed these details yesterday to PEOPLE Magazine. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By Sean Adams, WCBS Newsradio 880. Superintendent Joseph Massiminio the district worked with representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the state Department of Health, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to discuss the matter, and that national firms T&M Associates and Cabrera Services were tasked with collecting data and conducting the necessary tests. He said in 40 years of neurology, he had never heard of a married couple that both had the same type of primary brain tumor. "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. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day, I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. As a concerned uncle and community member, I pray we find nothing, Lupiano says. 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Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Federal agencies are also assisting in the investigation. The conversation is available below. While Lupianos wife Michele is still undergoing treatment, his sister Angela died in February, just months after her diagnosis. 94 people from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey are part of a cancer cluster of still unknown origin. "What I find alarming is there's truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and that's ionizing radiation, said Lupiano. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Job in West Orange - Essex County - NJ New Jersey - USA , 07052. Lupiano said he started searching for instances of Colonia High graduates having brain tumors and was stunned to discover 15 people in total, with two newly discovered cases pending further . Its not something done to us due to bad habits, Lupiano told CBS News. Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023. Lupiano grew up in Woodbridge Township and he now works as an environmental scientist; he no longer lives in Woodbridge. "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.". Komorek was so alarmed by the findings that she decided to pull her daughters out of Colonia this week and enroll them in another Woodbridge high school, per the districts transfer policy. Early testing at the Woodbridge school by a consultant for the . 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. Earlier this spring . Lupiano, his wife Michele (CHS Class of 1991) and his sister Angela (CHS Class of 1995) were all diagnosed with rare, similar sized brain tumors on the left side. Jason Wisinski lost his wife, Janice, 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Is the school built on some kind of a dumpsite? All the affected attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, dating back decades. They are also both graduates of Colonia High School. "I need your help Facebook. 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. 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. ET: The spelling of Michele DeCillis has been corrected. What treatments are available for the afflicted? SOURCES:PEOPLE Magazine, CBS News New York, New York Post, NJ.com &Dr. Joe Whittington. Are you a Colonia High School graduate that has been diagnosed with a brain tumor? 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. 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. It motivated Lupiano to create a Facebook group to determine if there were more Colonia High School alumni had developed brain tumors or other conditions. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. There have been some outlier cases. ', * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player. Angela has four daughters who have or will go to Colonia High School. 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 Media she has found evidence of highly toxic chemicals at Colonia through her own independent testing. His wife graduated in 1991. "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. Massimino sent the same statement to NJ Advance Media Monday. His wife. McCormac previously said he also expects the ground and soil around Colonia High School will be tested, along with the air inside the high school building. 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. A graduate as recent as 2014 was found to have a primary 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. The school was built in 1967 and currently serves roughly 1,300 students, the NY Post noted. You can find glioblastoma, which are terminal. Alumni links 65 rare brain tumor cases to NJ high school, investigation launched. This is terrific news for current students of Colonia High School (CHS) and their parents who worried about their safety along with current staff members, Mayor John E. McCormac said. 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. "Colonia is not a mega high school. He found a total of 104 former students and faculty, and about half were cancerous. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. Brain cancer is relatively rare but very dangerous. Find NJ.com on Faceboo. Today, he still suffers lingering effects. They learned of their tumors eight days apart. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano is among 94 former students and staff from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, who have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors. State health officials are now conducting an investigation into the cluster of 117 people. 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 . 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. He started researching and made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. 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. He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. All Rights Reserved. I know so many people who have ailments and cancer specifically who lived near there. There may need to be other steps taken. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart, while Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. 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. 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. "My wife fought like crazy. A A. How many people do we mean here? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist and a 1989 graduate of the N.J. high school began investigating Colonia High School in Woodbridge when he realized many others with ties to the school suffered the rare brain tumors, just like he did, 20 years ago. Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor in 1999. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. But we'd love to be able to rule out the school.". Is Colonia High School the cause of primary brain tumors in former students and staff from 1975 to 1995? Lupiano's sister passed away in February, 2022 at the young age of 44. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Columns with an asterisk or 'N' indicate there was no data or it was suppressed to protect student privacy. "We're going to test and hope we find nothing," McCormac previously said. Stanmyre: Right now, the number this week is up to 117 people who have been found to have a primary brain tumor of some sorts, according to data from Al Lupiano, who is the Colonia graduate who has kind of spearheaded all of this. Listed on 2023-03-02. But according to the new results, the school currently poses no danger. Before National Geographic, he worked for more than four years at PBS NewsHour, where he co-created anaward-winning video series named ScienceScope. Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. The reports have been brought to the attention of local officials who are now looking into them. That is what Al Lupiano, Colonia High School (CHS) Class of 1989, wants to find out after . They are testing the grounds outside and inside of the high school inside. My best friend had a cancerous brain tumor. WOODBRIDGE, NJ Air quality testing is being done at Colonia High School this week, while the Woodbridge school district is closed for spring break. ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, Onlookers urged police to charge into TX school: 'Go in there! Some of these are non-cancerous, yet very debilitating forms of brain tumor. The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. Mystery as 100 people. "I went on Facebook on March 7, and I asked for the people on Facebook to help me find others. So that has already begun. Lupiano started researching. The governor wont be embracing the bill despised by landlords and supported by tenant advocates. Lupiano was diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer) when he was 27 years old, about 25 years ago. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media. As a scientist, I want to find answers. As the Senior Producer for Morning Edition on WNYC, Alec works hard to get listeners all the latest news and delightful stories from New York City, northern New Jersey and beyond. What I find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and thats ionizing radiation. "Given the ongoing environmental investigation and testing, it is premature to comment on any link and/or causation of cancer diagnosis that may or may not be related to Colonia High School," said Woodbridge town spokesman Hagerty. The township announced results of an investigation. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Most of them during the years of 1972 to 2000, said Matthew Stanmyre with NJ Advance Media, who broke the news. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. ", ALSO READ | Onlookers urged police to charge into TX school: 'Go in there! 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. Fortunately one of the survivors is an environmentalscientist Al Lupiano, who is bringing attention to this and he is relentlessly looking for answers. Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. "That's something that we take very seriously. 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 . "That started setting off bells and whistles in my head.". Theyve placed canisters inside the school. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. "The EPA and CDC are not testing at Colonia High School," said Hagerty. All rights reserved (About Us). Radiological assessments will be conducted throughout the schools 28-acre campus, as well as indoor radon testing, this coming Easter weekend, the New York Post reported. Officials are looking for potential radiation at the school. . Just simple math in my head having a husband and wife with this tumor, which arent related and then to have my sister with a blastoma, I knew something was wrong, Lupiano says. They may need to excavate soil underneath the school. 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. 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. 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. It's not contaminated water. 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 . Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Qualifications: Current and valid New Jersey Registered Nurse license is required. 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. The sudden death of his sister led Lupiano on a research mission about the rare brain tumors. She loves a good music pun and wakes up very very early. "And if we do find something, we're going to deal with the consequences.". Dr. Marc Siegel discusses brain tumors that emerged among former Colonia High School students on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.' Local and federal environmental agencies say they are assisting. All rights reserved. The incident rate for GBM is approximately 30 out of 1,000,000 people. "We're just going to wait to find out. Advocates, for months, implored state and local officials to undertake more testing. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. Are part of a cancer cluster of still unknown origin East Hartford, Connecticut a... Embracing the bill despised by landlords and supported by tenant advocates and currently serves roughly 1,300 students, the built. Cancer specifically who lived near there test and hope we find nothing, Lupiano says - two hours.... 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