Thats what makes the numbers staggering, says Lupiano. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. Through his posts, Lupiano, CHS Class of 1989, wanted to find out if CHS is the cause of primary brain tumors that have affected more than 100 former students and staff. All rights reserved. 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. Most of them during the years of 1972 to 2000, said Matthew Stanmyre with NJ Advance Media, who broke the news. They learned of their tumors eight days apart. A video posted on TikTok video by Dr. Joe Whittington, a board-certified doctor in California gave this issue much needed public attention. These tumors are even more rare occurring in 10 out of 1,000,000 individuals.. Primary brain tumors are tumors that originate in the brain, as opposed to secondary tumors which start somewhere else and then spread to the brain. Last year, Lupianos wife and sister also developed brain tumors, as first reported byCBS New York. His wife. 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. How many people do we mean here? Pictured, a stock image of a brain scan. "I had recalled two family friends, the Black sisters, had also passed of these brain tumors," Lupiano said. He holds a doctorate in pathobiology from Columbia University and is an alum of the science communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. ", ALSO READ | Onlookers urged police to charge into TX school: 'Go in there! Lupiano has found nearly 200 people with links to Colonia High School who have brain tumors or other rare cancers. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. Mystery as 100 people. Two hours later, we received information that my wife also had a primary brain tumor, Lupiano said. That is what Al Lupiano, Colonia High School (CHS) Class of 1989, wants to find out after . Youre 98.6, youre fine, go home. He started researching and made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. 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 . "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. Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. Also, just on Monday Gov. Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. 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. (RELATED: Video Shows Man Repeatedly Running Over Woman With SUV After Minor Incident). Friday, April 22, 2022. Fortunately one of the survivors is an environmentalscientist Al Lupiano, who is bringing attention to this and he is relentlessly looking for answers. 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. 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. 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. What I find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and thats ionizing radiation. 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 . How did this incident come to light in the first place? 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. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address Officials are looking for potential radiation at the school. Nsikan runs the health and science desk at WNYC/Gothamist. 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. Environmental scientists are investigating reports of increased instances of brain tumors at Colonia High School in New Jersey. 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. The township announced results of an investigation. 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. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. That's what makes the numbers staggering," says Lupiano. There may need to be other steps taken. There have been some outlier cases. I will not rest until I have answers. The sample was collected using a laboratory-prepared hexane wipe and placed in a pre-cleaned, laboratory-provided jar, with a screw-on lid. 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. ', * 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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. Lupiano's sister passed away in February, 2022 at the young age of 44. 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 . But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. Part Time, Per diem position. Lupiano grew up in Woodbridge Township and he now works as an environmental scientist; he no longer lives in Woodbridge. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. 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. Listed on 2023-03-02. Since March . 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. Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a trend. 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. In May, the district and state announced an environmental assessment of all 28 acres in and around Colonia found no traces of radiological contaminants and the school was deemed safe for students and staff. Since . "My wife fought like crazy. 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. 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 . The governor wont be embracing the bill despised by landlords and supported by tenant advocates. Lupiano is still looking for any and all Colonia High School alumni to come forward. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Facebook Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. "My wife fought like crazy. Our journalism needs your support. Lupiano started researching. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. In an acknowledgement of the significance of Komoreks findings, the district sent out a statement to parents and guardians Monday evening. Lupianoknew that something was very wrong here. 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. All of the cases have ties to Colonia High School, either as students or employees. 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. ', Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. The statewide graduation rate fell slightly, from 91% in 2019-20 to 90.6%. Komorek presented her findings Monday to Woodbridge superintendent Joseph Massimino, Colonia principal Kenneth Pace and Woodbridge Education Association president Brian Geoffroy. This all came to fruition in August of last year, and it just startled Lupiano. 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. As of Thursday, Lupiano said he has confirmed 65 cases of people with rare brain tumors and they all are either Colonia High School graduates or had worked there, he says. Sneak Peek At Woodbridge Mayor's Mailer Urging 'Yes' Vote On March 14, Woodbridge Woman Writes Her 2nd Fiction Novel, Critically Praised, Perth Amboy Outerbridge Crossing Crash Blocks Lane Tuesday: DOT, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), 2023 Spring Garden Tea Party Gift Auction, Raisin, The Tony-Winning Best Musical - Second Incredible Week, Johns Crazy Socks Enters the Wholesale Channel so Retail Stores Can Sell Our Socks, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, The Doobie Brothers Play In New Brunswick July 8,9, Highest NJ Property Taxes: See Where Your Town Ranks On New List, Person Shot During Police Encounter At South Jersey Rest Stop: AG. Theyve placed canisters inside the school. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. "What I find alarming is there's truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and that's ionizing radiation, said Lupiano. Are you a Colonia High School graduate that has been diagnosed with a brain tumor? Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac immediately and responsibly got engaged. "Colonia is not a mega high school. Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? Last year, his sister, also an alumna of Colonia High, was diagnosed with a primary brain tumor, a stage 4 glioblastoma, he told CBS New York. 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. It will take about two weeks. No one knows why. Township officials have posted the radiological reports on the township website at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us. Hill: Brain tumors, relative to other types of cancer, are typically rare but can be very lethal. The ground and air testing will begin on Saturday. WOODBRIDGE, NJ Air quality testing is being done at Colonia High School this week, while the Woodbridge school district is closed for spring break. Today, he still suffers lingering effects. 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. 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. My MIL died of lung cancer. 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. COLONIA, N.J. - Radiation tests are being done at Colonia High School in New Jersey after more than 100 people were diagnosed with rare brain tumors. At that time, I only had 15 people on the list, and I decided after grieving for a few weeksit was time now to go public and ask people to help me.. Then making matters even worse, the same day that Michelle Lupiano (Al's wife) was diagnosed with her brain tumor, Al's sister Angela DeCillis was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. My list quickly started multiplyingit all seemed to be linked back to the high school. Colonia High School graduateAl Lupiano talks to @KatyTurNBC about gathering names of over 80 individuals with rare brain tumors who attended the school. However, I still think we need to expedite the next phase of testing including water, soil, and air, to determine if more than one contaminant is present, he said. Massimino sent the same statement to NJ Advance Media Monday. 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 of brain tumors, cancers, and other central nervous disorders in former students and staff members. Image: Unsplash. 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. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday. Three of the victims are Al Lupiano, his wife Michelle, and his sister Angele Decillis. What steps are investigators taking to try to figure this out? 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. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart, while Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. 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. But we'd love to be able to rule out the school.". Nearly 100 people attending a single high school in New Jersey have developed rare forms of brain cancer. Its not something done to us due to bad habits, Lupiano told CBS News. 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. T&M Associates subcontracted Cabrera Services Inc., a radiological environmental and remediation company, of East Hartford, Connecticut. Were all concerned, and we all want to get to the bottom of this. Newsweek has reached out to Colonia High School and McCormac. 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. Lupianos wife was also diagnosed with a brain tumor, the NY Post reported. This is when a low-level radioactive rock was found and removed from the school grounds. This is definitely not normal.. The results indicated PCBs at concentration of 50,500 mg/kg, exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulatory level of 50 mg/kg, according to the report. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. DeCillis died in February from glioblastoma multiforme, a form of brain cancer. Both parents of children in school and current teachers and staff deserve answers. Some are the most awful worst kinds of brain cancer. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare and abnormally large brain tumour Acoustic Neuroma (AN) in 1999 when he was just 27 years old. All Rights Reserved. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. Woodbridge will not get preliminary test results until after this Saturday, April 23, said Hagerty. But even more rare was the fact that his wife and sister later found out that they had similar medical conditions. Several types of primary brain tumors, including cancerous forms like glioblastoma and noncancerous yet debilitating masses such as acoustic neuromas, haemangioblastomas and meningiomas, have been diagnosed, according to the outlet. 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. 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