"My wife fought like crazy. You have to find out if its something thats going to affect my kids, Al Lupiano, 50, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, told TODAY. "The federal and the state governments all know what the facts are to date and have not expressed any immediate concern. "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. "I dont know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, et cetera.". "It might feel like it is more prevalent than it actually is.". That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. Around the same time, Michele Lupiano was experiencing some hearing loss and balance problems. Call us or complete our online form to request an appointment with our neurological care experts. The results of those tests will determine the township's next steps, Mayor John McCormac said, adding Woodbridge also is working with the state Department of Health to develop a portal for people to provide more detailed medical information to confirm the accuracy of the list. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The firm has been using Geiger counters, which detect nuclear radiation, "to scan every square inch of the property," McCormac said, and placing radon detectors in all the classrooms, offices, gym and auditorium. His wife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. Take the survey NOW! You have to find out whats doing this. 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. Chantee Lans has more. "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. As DeCillis health declined, Al Lupiano started wondering why the three of them had brain tumors. Earlier: Mayor sees no need for more cancer testing at Colonia High School, Earlier: No radiological hazards found at Colonia High School, no further testing planned, Earlier: 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. A Warner Bros. By specializing in this frequently overlooked sleep disorder, we offer the clinical knowledge to fully evaluate and accurately identify the cause, as well as create the most effective, personalized treatment. I had been struggling for several weeks after she passed away, trying to figure out what to do, Al Lupiano said. Pre-Schools & Private Schools. Higher Education 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. Hiswife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. Many of these symptoms can prove especially dangerous for those who drive or operate heavy machinery, including: If you are a graduate, current student, or staff member at Colonia High School and have developed a glioblastoma or other brain tumor, contact MLG immediately to become part of the investigation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Also in the city are several pre-schools, two Christian schools, and a Catholic school with classes for children from K-8. Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called glioblastoma. The environmental scientist and industrial engineer picked up on a potential pattern. He promised her he would find out the reason for the family's brain tumors. Wisinski's wife and sister-in-law both died of brain tumors. We tailor each patient's treatment using the latest approaches, including new advancements such as: In addition, our partnership with some of the nations top research consortiums allows us to offer patients some of the most promising clinical trials. But wed love to be able to rule out the school., Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who attended or worked at the school who have primary brain tumors. Even if the brain tumor is not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening if left untreated. Radon testing was conducted at the school and last monthlocal officials joined by state environmental and health officials announced no evidence of any cancer-causing hazards were found at the site that warrant further investigation. He has relatives who are students at the school. His research was prompted after both his wife and sister, both Colonia High School graduates, were diagnosed with brain tumors on the same day in August 2021. WOODBRIDGE The Brain Tumor Foundation (BTF) is offeringfree early brain tumor detection, with MRI screenings, in response to concerns surrounding more than 125 former Colonia High School students, teachers and employees who have apparently developed brain tumors. Of those, only three were linked to possible exposures; of those, only one had a clear cause identified. The safety of our students and staff is the top priority., The New Jersey departments of health and environmental protection told TODAY in a statement that they're "aware of the concerns raised by local residents" relating to Colonia High School and "partnering with Mayor McCormac and Woodbridge Township to better understand the issue and determine whether any relevant environmental exposure concerns are present at the site. 3 min read. Ms.Vercoskispassion is helping underserved groups receive fair and just compensation for harm they have experienced. Cheer March Parent Meeting, 1:04 PM - 1:34 PM 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. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. Its just extremely rare. DeCillis died at age 44 on February 17, 2022. Additionally, alumni and staff need to know what is causing these brain tumors in order to protect themselves and monitor their health carefully. We encourage families and individuals in the Woodbridge area to take advantage of this opportunity for free early detection screening for brain tumors. The school has stayed open, with local officials apparently telling parents that "at this time, there is no discernable health or wellness threat to students, staff, or visitors at Colonia High School," according to the petition writers. That, the "concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members" petitioning on behalf of their school community say, isn't acceptable. Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called . "That started setting off bells and whistles in my head.". These low-level contaminations can be very difficult to prove as a cancer cluster because there are going to be a lot of other schools with the same level of contamination there, (and) they have dont brain cancers.. Screenings will utilize Swoop, HyperFines new portable MRI machine, BTF said. "The last three months were just absolutely horrific.". Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. (TODAY has not confirmed each individual case.) Boys & Girls V/FS Track & Field Freeway League Tri-Meet, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). He was successfully treated for it, though he has lingering side effects, including slight deafness, fatigue and dizziness. More say the information flow is sorely lacking. 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. In the meantime, Lupiano would like to see additional testing started right away. Using an innovative multidisciplinary approach, we help patients throughout the country regain their quality of life. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. New residents seeking information on elementary, junior and senior high schools, or adult education should call the School District Office at 714-990-7800. (The doctor) just looked at me and said, Ive been doing this a long time. I needed to ask for help, he said. McCormac said the radon testing is done and has been sent to the lab. 100 PEOPLE WITH RARE TUMORS WHO ATTENDED SAME NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL DEMAND ANSWERS The 110 people that Lupiano has counted on his list of former Colonia High School graduates have been. We had three of us by that date knowing we had brain tumors.. I was highly motivated to keep moving forward.. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. As his sisters health worsened, he said found 15 people who went to his high school, Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, who also had primary brain tumors. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano. And with the list that grew by two people in just the last week, the results of recentradiation and radon testing at the school on East Street can't come soon enough. 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. Sinceearly March, Lupiano, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate, has identified 117 students, teachers and staff members with primary brain tumors, as well as 78 students and staff with rare or curious cancers. NHS Weekly Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. A man investigating his former high school in New Jersey says he has counted 115 people who attended or worked there have had a rare brain tumor. Last year, his wife, Michele Lupiano, was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma and his sister, Angela DeCillis, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Community Health Needs Assessments and Improvement Plans, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Communication Assistance. ", McCormac hopes testing will determine theres nothing at the school contributing to brain tumors: Then experts will have to figure out why its happening elsewhere. 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. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was . "We have to know whatwe've found so far, if anything, before we test for the next level," McCormac said. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She was declining quickly, and my attention was elsewhere, Al Lupiano said. medical mystery at a high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors. Over 100 brain tumors spark investigation at New Jersey high school. Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a trend. More than 100 graduates of a New Jersey high school have been diagnosed with brain tumors over the past 30 years, prompting concern that there might be a connection between the school and. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. 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Optune: this nonsurgical, electrical-frequency therapy disrupts glioblastoma cancer cell growth, representing the first advancement in outcomes for this cancer in over a decade. Academic Saturday School, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. Scouring obituaries and old news clippings on his iPad, Lupiano found more and more Colonia High School students and staff with brain tumors as his sister got worse and worse. But, according to the Change.org petition launched Tuesday, complete results aren't even anticipated to be received until the end of May. Advanced Neurological Care. When Jason Wisinski learned that Al Lupiano was looking into cases of brain tumors at a New Jersey high school, he wanted to help. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Facebook Colonia High School. Key Club Meeting, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM The environmental testing is expected to last a month. 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 screenings will be held 9a.m. to 5 p.m. June 22-24 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27-30 at Joy's Dance House, 747 King Georges Road in the Fords section. Theres some statistical analysis that has to get done, Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, told TODAY. Lupiano, his wife Michele, and his sister were all Colonia High School graduates and all developed brain tumors, although Lupiano's and his wife's are benign. If you are one of the former students or staff who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, we want to hear from you. 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 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. 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. My wife, sister and myself grew up in the same township. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. The school will remain open. The foundations work is part of a formal research study in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine/NY-Presbyterian in New York. MLG is a national Environmental and Class Action law firm serving the victims of environmental and corporate negligence across the country. Our nationally respected neurological rehabilitation programs include inpatientand outpatientsettings. Her hands were shaking, like violently shaking, and my wife basically went into a grand mal seizure (which causes violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness)," Wisinki TODAY. As tens of thousands of students and hundreds of staff have attended and worked at Colonia High School, and 1,300 students currently attend school there, it is urgent to understand the cause of this elevated occurrence of brain tumors. Your opinion matters! I had been struggling for several weeks after she passed away, trying to out!, only three were linked to possible exposures ; of those, only three were linked to possible exposures of! And my attention was elsewhere, Al Lupiano said themselves and monitor their carefully. 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