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. She had (another) pretty bad seizure about 31 weeks.. Ms. Vercoski graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Nursing. In an update on his Facebook page, Lupiano said the radiological team hired by the township to look for both radiation and radon has concluded. When Jason Wisinski learned that Al Lupiano was looking into cases of brain tumors at a New Jersey high school, he wanted to help. She made it five years," said Jason Wisinski. Community Health Needs Assessments and Improvement Plans, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Communication Assistance. According to the foundation, an estimated 700,000 people in the United Stated are living with a primary brain tumor. Al Lupiano and sister Angela, who died at age 44 in 2022. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It is a great advantage to find tumors as early as possible. Ms. Vercoski is a tireless advocate that has gotten justice and great results for her clients. After nearly 100 people who attended the same New Jersey high school developed rare brain tumors, an alumnus and cancer survivor is demanding answers. She believesassisting her fellow neighbors and friends can help elevate the entire community and shine a spotlight on the need for systemic change. The St. Jude Sleep Centerbrings unusual expertise to the most common and undiagnosed sleep problem in America today: sleep apnea. 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. Ms. Vercoski, who was raised in Carteret and Middlesex County and who recently lost a close friend and alumnus of Colonia High School to this rare brain tumor, is utilizing her personal investment in this investigation to become part of the solution to provide answers and relief to alumni and staff affected by this rare brain tumor. 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. When childrens health and lives are at stake, we have a right to demand your full attention and transparency.". Environmental scientist Al Lupiano. That conversation inspired Al Lupiano to do some research. It was the same type of tumor Lupiano was diagnosed with in 1999 when he was 27. Even if the brain tumor is not technically cancer, it can grow and become life-threatening if left untreated. After his sister's death in February, Lupiano became convinced of a link between the Colonia. Mystery as 100 people. Cancer Cluster Probe at NJ HS Underway After 100+ Diagnosed With Brain Tumors, What Is Aphasia? Brain tumors represent the highest per-patient initial cost of care for any cancer group with an annualized mean net cost of care approaching $150,000; and the highest annualized mean net costs for last-year-of-life care, relative to other cancers, at $135,000 to $210,000 (depending on age and sex) per patient. Facebook Colonia High School. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); $203 MillionClass ActionFinancial Services, $200 MillionClass ActionProduct Liability. "I never in my worst nightmare envisioned ever hitting this milestone. 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. She basically started becoming disabled, he said. Chantee Lans has more. Using an innovative multidisciplinary approach, we help patients throughout the country regain their quality of life. All rights reserved. Since 2007, Michele M. Vercoski has obtained excellent financial recoveries to clients in Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Action fraud,Commercial Litigation,and workplace harassment and discrimination. Jason Wisinksi lost his wife Janice 10 years ago to an inoperable brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Hers was positive for an acoustic neuroma, also on the left side, also 30 millimeters, exactly the same as I had. medical mystery at a high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors. Jason Wisinski is helping Al Lupiano find people with brain tumors connected to Colonia High School and said "my hope is they will whats causing these issues. For other adult education information, call 714-526-8258. Lupiano said, adding his doctor encouraged him to investigate the concentration of tumors in the town where he grew up. Other than that, we dont have any experience to link us together.. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. Theres some statistical analysis that has to get done, Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, told TODAY. "I had recalled two family friends, the Black sisters, had also passed of these brain tumors," Lupiano said. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. 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 MLGs office in Newark, New Jersey. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. A week later, the Lupianos were at a doctors appointment and mentioned Al Lupianos acoustic neuroma 20 years earlier. 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. 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. The. 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. Its just extremely rare. The Brea Olinda Unified School District operates six elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school, and one alternative high school. Learn more about our mission, vision and values. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor with an incidence rate of 3.19 per 100,000 persons in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). "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. I dont have any data that says anybody should be concerned right now, and if we had that, we would certainly take action immediately," McCormac said. Key Club Meeting, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM When DeCillis started having symptoms, Michele Lupiano made an appointment for an MRI. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. Football Junior High Strength Camp, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. "My wife fought like crazy. (The doctor) just looked at me and said, Ive been doing this a long time. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. "That started setting off bells and whistles in my head.". I dont know if I have ever had another husband and wife who have an acoustic neuroma. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. Black died in 2015, three years after her sister, when her cancer recurred. CNN's Ana Cabrera speaks to Al Lupiano, a former student. All rights reserved. Its just like both of you being struck by lightning, Al Lupiano recalled. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor with an incidence rate of 3.19 per 100,000 persons in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). 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.. Our nationally respected neurological rehabilitation programs include inpatientand outpatientsettings. Gov. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Advanced Neurological Care. 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. Of those, only three were linked to possible exposures; of those, only one had a clear cause identified. She really started going downhill, Al Lupiano said. My wife, sister and myself grew up in the same township. Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has said. The township dedicated funds to hire an environmental engineering firm to start various tests at Colonia High School for possible contaminants in and around the school. I pray we find answers," Lupiano said on his Facebook page. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. Higher Education The environmental testing is expected to last a month. IE 11 is not supported. 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. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. They thought it had to do with the pregnancy.They couldnt do an MRI on Janice Wisinski, so they did a CT scan and saw a mass on the left side of her brain. "I do think there needs to be greater emphasis placed upon moving to conduct the next phase of sampling. This is the disclaimer text. The University of California at Irvine, Chapman College, and Cal Poly Pomona are all within easy freeway access. Lupiano's sister, Angela died on February 17 from Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM. All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. McCune Law Group, (MLG) Partner Michele Vercoski Leads an Investigation into the Link Between Colonia High School Alumni and a Rare Brain Tumor. Your location: 101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services. Helping students achieve and persist One learner at a time. Named one the countrys highest performing hospitals in neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report and one of America's 100 Best Hospitals in stroke care by Healthgrades we offer a level of care available at very few hospitals in the nation. Sonora High School encourages students to become life-long learners and contributing members of an ever-changing world. Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (714-256-1311) has a campus located at 251 South Randolph Street in Brea. Doctors gave her about 18 months to live, but she survived five years and saw her daughter grow up some. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835, personalized stroke services, treatments and services it five years, Lupiano... Using an innovative multidisciplinary approach, we help patients throughout the country regain their quality life. 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