She loves a good music pun and wakes up very very early. All the affected attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, dating back decades. The 50-year-old claims the diseases could be traced. All three were diagnosed with a brain tumor. These tumors are even more rare occurring in 10 out of 1,000,000 individuals.. Advertisement. . They learned of their tumors eight days apart. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," said Lupiano. Social media has played a big role in shining the light of truth on this situation. A soil sample taken from near the northern wall of the school similarly indicated PCBs concentration of 575 mg/kg, exceeding the New Jersey Soil Remediation Standard. The action (should) be undertaken immediately, due to high exceedances of the State and Federal regulatory standards for PCBs and pesticides, as well as the fact that PCBs and chlordane inhalation may be occurring by students and staff, Komorek stated in a letter to district officials. When a former student at Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, realized that he, his wife and his sister all had brain tumors, he wondered if something about their high. Angela has four daughters who have or will go to Colonia High School. More than 100 people who graduated from Colonia High School have developed brain cancer. 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. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. All three family members attended Colonia High, the NY Post noted. 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. So, would you take us through what is known so far about this cluster? Lupiano's sister, Angela, died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. 94 people from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey are part of a cancer cluster of still unknown origin. "That's something that we take very seriously. "In conclusion, the results of the radiological investigation at the high school and grounds are within the normal variation of background radiation levels in New Jersey and are therefore not indicative of concern over radiological exposure to individuals at the site," state DEP Commisioner Shawn LaTourette wrote in a letter to the township. All Rights Reserved. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day - I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. You can find glioblastoma, which are terminal. Woodbridge Township has contracted environmental engineering firm T&M Associates to carry out radiation tests at Colonia High School to investigate a possible link between the school and the reported brain tumors, according to New York news outlet WABC. Lupiano has found nearly 200 people with links to Colonia High School who have brain tumors or other rare cancers. Unfortunately, that didnt happen.. 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. 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. Listed on 2023-03-02. 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. 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. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday. When he started digging and looking for a link, the common link was Colonia High School. Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Jason Wisinski lost his wife, Janice, 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. 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. I made a promise to my sister while she was dying that if something did this to us, I will find out what did it, Lupiano says. On the National Cancer Institutes list of 27 common afflictions, tumors in the brain and nervous system rank 19th in terms of case rate but 5th-lowest in terms of the chances of survival. He added that the Environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved in the investigation. 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. CHS is the one link of all three of them. Others are benign and very slow-growing that are going to use a different kind of treatment altogether. He started researching and made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. Lupianos wife was also diagnosed with a brain tumor, the NY Post reported. A stock photo shows medical workers looking at a brain scan or brain scans. Woodbridge Township is paying T&M Associates $221,350 to do the radon testing. Officials are looking for potential radiation at the school. As the school remains open during the investigation, some students are concerned. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The sample was collected using a laboratory-prepared hexane wipe and placed in a pre-cleaned, laboratory-provided jar, with a screw-on lid. There have been some outlier cases. Advocates, for months, implored state and local officials to undertake more testing. As a concerned uncle and community member, I pray we find nothing, Lupiano says. 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. I will uncover the truth," Lupiano said to NJ.com. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. (Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media). 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. Concerns were raised by Al Lupiano, a 1989 graduate of Colonia High School, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor along with his wife Michele and sister Angela DeCillis, both of whom had also attended the school. He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. His sister succumbed to brain cancer. 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. A high school in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, is being investigated by environmental experts after reports of more than 100 former students and staff being diagnosed with brain tumors. Some are the most awful worst kinds of brain cancer. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Lupiano's sister passed away in February, 2022 at the young age of 44. Luciano has reported his findings to Colonia High School. In a Facebook post, Lupiano said the battle over whats affecting hundreds of CHS alumni, teachers and staff is not over with the help of renowned doctors and scientists., He called the data presented at the press conference flawed.. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: Video Shows Man Repeatedly Running Over Woman With SUV After Minor Incident). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Theyve placed canisters inside the school. Environmental scientists are investigating reports of increased instances of brain tumors at Colonia High School in New Jersey. Are you a Colonia High School graduate that has been diagnosed with a brain tumor? 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. 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. Sign up for Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com, this resolution approved at their April 5 meeting, Brain Tumor Link To Colonia High School 'Credible,' Town's Mayor Says. It should also be noted that not all the reports of primary brain tumors are cancerous. But according to the new results, the school currently poses no danger. The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. Rohit Ranjan. Lupiano says that most of the people on his list were at the high school prior to 1997. Radiology, Allied Health, Radiologic Technologist, Neurophysiology. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart, while Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. 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. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. He is presently working with local officials to address the situation. "When I started looking into it, I quickly amassed 15 of our classmates with these rare brain tumors," he told NewsNation. ", "We are taking this incredibly seriously," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac told Patch earlier this April, saying that he finds Lupiano's theory "quite credible and legitimate. The school is expected to remain open during this time. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. 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). The lists, which are sorted by county and include a separate list for charter schools, also include a second graduation rate, which excludes students whose special education IEPs allow them to qualify for diplomas despite not meeting typical coursework and attendance requirements. Both sisters were graduates of Colonia High School. No one knows why. Colonia High School is now the. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. 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. 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. Lupiano also says people who did not attend the school but live nearby have gotten in touch with him to express their concerns. 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. It's not something in soil," Lupiano said to CBS News. This all came to fruition in August of last year, and it just startled Lupiano. Unfortunately, it turned out to be stage 4 glioblastoma. He is keeping a list. A majority of former students of Colonia High School developed glioblastoma, a rare brain tumour. 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. Her sister, Cheryl Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. But we'd love to be able to rule out the school.". 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. 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. 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. Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac told WABC that the situation was "alarming because there are just so many people with a tumormalignant or benign, and it's serious.". Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a trend. There may need to be other steps taken. Were all concerned, and we all want to get to the bottom of this. He said he is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from or attend Colonia High School from approximately 1975 to 1995. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media. That is the question residents are hoping to answer in the Colonia section of Woodbridge. NEW JERSEY - A New Jersey man has uncovered a medical mystery apparently linking more than 100 people . In an acknowledgement of the significance of Komoreks findings, the district sent out a statement to parents and guardians Monday evening. "Colonia is not a mega high school. Its not contaminated water. 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. 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. The pool is getting a new liner, gutter and deck, along with new filtration systems. Youre 98.6, youre fine, go home. Over 122 people connected to Colonia High School were found to have brain tumors. 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. The video has been viewed more than 3 million times.Whittington believes that the Colonia High School students and staff have developed glioblastoma multiforme, a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor that invades the nearby brain tissue. 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. 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 . "The EPA and CDC are not testing at Colonia High School," said Hagerty. Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare and abnormally large brain tumour Acoustic Neuroma (AN) in 1999 when he was just 27 years old. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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