Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Hiswife Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, had a large acoustic neuroma on her left side, which is life-threatening if left untreated. Football Junior High Strength Camp, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM 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. Set your location to find care near you. Those wishing to make an appointment should call 844-283-7226 (844-BTF-SCAN) or visit www.btfscanwoodbridge.com. Our fellowship-trained neurosurgeons and neurointerventional radiologists utilize these and other leading-edge technologies to provide expert care for the full range of neurosurgical conditions, from brain injuries and complex brain tumors to nerve compression and herniated disks. When Wisinskis sister-in-law Cheryl Black was recovering from surgery to remove her grade 2 oligodendroglioma in 2007, his wife, Janice Wisinski, who was 29 weeks pregnant, started having a seizure in Black's hospital room, he recalled. His sister Angela DeCillis had a stage 4 glioblastoma that took her life in February 2022 at age 44, just six months after she was diagnosed. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address Ms. Vercoski, a Middlesex County native, has a personal connection to the health outcomes of this type of rare brain tumor which has manifested in Colonia High School alumni and staff at unusually high rates. 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 school will remain open. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. Its just like both of you being struck by lightning, Al Lupiano recalled. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. That, the "concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members" petitioning on behalf of their school community say, isn't acceptable. 2. She graduated from Tulane Law School in 2004 and passed the bar in New York, New Jersey, and California. 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. Your opinion matters! Environmental scientist Al Lupiano. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. As expressions of God's healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. Both sisters were graduates of Colonia High School. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. What is graupel? Learn more about our pain treatment services. Parents like Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for those results -- at least at the time Genoni spoke to News 4 last month. Others told NJ.com they want a remote learning option until the investigation is complete. "I have full faith they will get to the bottom of this and they will figure out what is going on," she said at the time. On Feb. 17, Angela died from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. Lupiano said, adding his doctor encouraged him to investigate the concentration of tumors in the town where he grew up. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. Updated Apr 17, 2022 at 4:10pm. Even if the brain tumor is not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening if left untreated. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Michele M. Vercoski, a partner of McCune Law Group, is investigating the potential link between the rare brain tumor and many former Colonia High School students out of the MLG's office in Newark, New Jersey. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. The free brain scans were pursued by Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate who began researching a possible link between brain tumors and the high school following the February. Pre-Schools & Private Schools. Advanced Neurological Care. "I need your help Facebook. Hers was positive for an acoustic neuroma, also on the left side, also 30 millimeters, exactly the same as I had. Despite the number of cases, officials first have to determine if scientific evidence indeed indicates a connection between the school grounds and the brain tumors. "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. Colonia High School Officials conduct a radiological survey on the school's baseball field. We kept saying, Well, we grew up in the same township, Al Lupiano said. He started researching and made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. They learned of their tumors eight days apart. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Radon canisters were placed throughout the building to collect radon measurements and additional testing was scheduled for last week while the school, built in 1967, was closed for spring break. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was diagnosed with in 1999 when he was 27. Of those, only three were linked to possible exposures; of those, only one had a clear cause identified. 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. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist,. Wisinski's wife and sister-in-law both died of brain tumors. All Rights Reserved. Sonora HS Promotion. Earlier:'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases. When Al Lupiano investigated why he, his wife and his sister had brain tumors, he told TODAY he uncovered more people with them who went to or worked at the high school. You have to find out if its something thats going to affect my kids, Al Lupiano, 50, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, told TODAY. I needed to ask for help, he said. Ms. Vercoski takes a special interest in the connection between health problems and exposure to environmental issues affecting New Jersey, the state where she grew up and where her family and friends continue to live. 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.. 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. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. 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. "We appreciate the NJDOH, NJDEP, ATSDR, and CDC assistance to the Woodbridge Townships environmental investigation that is currently ongoing, but strongly believe that this is not enough," the petition says in seeking the involvement of more state and federal agencies. Cancer Cluster Probe at NJ HS Underway After 100+ Diagnosed With Brain Tumors, What Is Aphasia? Eyewitness News has reached out to them, and are waiting to hear back. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. Through our specialized programs and neurological services, the St. Jude Neurosciences Institute provides compassionate patient-centered services, life-changing research, and a relentless commitment to advancing patient outcomes. He promised her he would find out the reason for the family's brain tumors. Request Appointment. Youll often find contaminants that are in the environment, Dr. Peter Shields, the deputy director of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, told TODAY. 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. Sonora High School encourages students to become life-long learners and contributing members of an ever-changing world. Higher Education His wife. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. If requested, BTF can refer the patient to a qualified medical specialist for further investigation and treatment. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. This is the disclaimer text. But he narrowed his search criteria: He wanted to look for primary brain tumors, those that originate in the brain instead of resulting from another cancer, such as lung or breast cancer. ", 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. My wife, sister and myself grew up in the same township. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. The township announced results of an investigation. That's 100 people with their life forever changed, 100 families having to be told the terrible news, 100 stories of shock and disbelief with the diagnosis. McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski Leads an Investigation into the Link Between Colonia High School Alumni and a Rare Brain Tumor. In addition to Ms. Vercoskis medical and legal expertise in environmental areas, MLG has an in-house team of lawyers and public health professionals, including two PhDs in public health, who are ready to lead the investigation to protect current and former students and staff of Colonia High School against the fallout from this rare brain tumor. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. 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. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. If you are one of the former students or staff who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, we want to hear from you. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And its very possible they might not.. The University of California at Irvine, Chapman College, and Cal Poly Pomona are all within easy freeway access. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School Junior, Julia Pagnozzi. Band Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. It does not store any personal data. 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. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. "If we can help people find evidence of early-stage tumors, they can avail themselves of better, more varied treatment options. Ms. Vercoski can be reached directly at mmv@mccunewright.com. Over 100,000 MRIs let experts map the human brain. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. 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. NHS Weekly Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM You have to find out whats doing this. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. While that may sound like a high number, determining if a group of cases constitute a cancer cluster can be difficult. We bring together more than a dozen specialties, life-saving research and a relentless commitment to advancing patient outcomes, giving our patients the very best opportunity to recover and heal. St. Judes Center for Neuro-Oncology is guided by our commitment to finding new and better answers for our patients with brain cancer. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Additional information is available by visiting www.braintumorfoundation.org or calling 212- 489-0600. "It might feel like it is more prevalent than it actually is.". 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I said, Im going to go on Facebook and either find answers or make myself look foolish and put out what I found and open myself up to the ridicule of science.. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. medical mystery at a high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors. Lupiano's sister, Angela died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. Lupiano, however,maintains more testing is needed to definitively prove there is nothing at the school linked to brain cancer. 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. For Lupiano, the concern is very personal. Part of investigating a possible cancer cluster is comparing the group in question to a similar group elsewhere, aka the control group, to determine if cancer is actually occurring at a higher rate. IE 11 is not supported. Phil Murphy told NJ.com the possible brain tumor cluster was disturbing but stressed it was too soon to make definitive conclusions about the cause. In 1999, Al Lupiano says he was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a type of benign brain tumor that grows on a nerve that runs from the brain to the inner ear. Black died in 2015, three years after her sister, when her cancer recurred. That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. Take the survey NOW! "We thank Mayor McCormac and the local residents for raising these concerns and we ask for patience as we pursue the science to try to identify answers. A scan revealed that she had a tumor on the left side of the brain that was 30 millimeters. 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. Community Health Needs Assessments and Improvement Plans, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Communication Assistance. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day - I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For information about local community college classes, call Fullerton Community College at 714-992-7000. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. If you were affected or have a tumor or rare cancer, I need your assistance," his Facebook post read. On March 7, he posted a page on social media looking for others from Colonia High School with brain tumors. MLG Partner Michele Vercoski has over 16 years of experience as a trial attorney with a significant portion of her professional career dedicated to seeking justice for harm caused to people by environmental and occupational exposures. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student who is now investigating the school. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. The HyperFine MRI unit enables greater flexibility and ease of access to patients than the previous practice of bringing a 72-foot tractor-trailer housing a standard sized mobile MRI to a screening location. ", Mystery as 100 people associated with 1 school develop brain tumors, 15 people who went to his high school, Colonia High School, National Cancer Institute defines a cancer cluster, published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology. And collect information to provide a controlled consent brain cancer to become life-long learners and contributing members of an world! Weekly Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM you have to really take look. 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