3 min read. Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare and abnormally large brain tumour Acoustic Neuroma (AN) in 1999 when he was just 27 years old. They were diagnosed on the same day last summer. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. Others are benign and very slow-growing that are going to use a different kind of treatment altogether. Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. He said he is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from or attend Colonia High School from approximately 1975 to 1995. The testing actually started April 9, and testers have been seen walking around Colonia High School, taking air samples to test for radiation, said Woodbridge town spokesman John Hagerty. Woodbridge Township is paying T&M Associates $221,350 to do the radon testing. 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. A graduate as recent as 2014 was found to have a primary brain tumor. What would you do if you went to the doctor, you arent feeling well, asked Matthew DeCillis, whose wife, Angela, died from a brain tumor in February. "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," he said. Whittington a board-certified MD in California claimed several of the brain tumors developed by ex-Colonia High staff and students are glioblastoma multiforme an aggressive cancer. Job specializations: Healthcare. Three of the victims are Al Lupiano, his wife Michelle, and his sister Angele Decillis. Were all concerned, and we all want to get to the bottom of this. Massimino said in the memo the district has contacted our environmental consultants, the Health Department of the Township of Woodbridge, and Township Officials to review the information. He also said the township shared the information with the State Department of Environmental Protection and the State Department of Health.. 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.. SOURCES:PEOPLE Magazine, CBS News New York, New York Post, NJ.com &Dr. Joe Whittington. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. They said it was about a one in a billion odds. "The EPA and CDC are not testing at Colonia High School," said Hagerty. Its not contaminated water. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday. When it didnt happen, Komorek who earned a joint degree in environmental science from Rutgers and New Jersey Institute of Technology and specializes in air, ground water and soil contamination took matters into her own hands. 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. His sister Angela Decillis graduated in 1995. 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. He is keeping a list. Here are the details: The lists below show 4-year graduation rates for New Jersey public schools for the 2020-21 school year. She also requested the district embark on additional environmental testing. Federal agencies are also assisting in the investigation. 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. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. It will take about two weeks. 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. After some digging, a man who attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, discovered more than 100 former students and staff members had been diagnosed with the same sort of brain tumor diagnosed in his wife, his sister and himself. He emphasized that there's no need for residents in the community to go get emergency cancer imaging scans immediately. There's a lot of speculation running rampant about what could be causing this, but to date, there has been nothing found. Lupianoknew that something was very wrong here. Township officials have posted the radiological reports on the township website at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us. Massimino sent the same statement to NJ Advance Media Monday. 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. 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. Its not something done to us due to bad habits, Lupiano told CBS News. Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. Lupiano grew up in Woodbridge Township and he now works as an environmental scientist; he no longer lives in Woodbridge. T&M Associates subcontracted Cabrera Services Inc., a radiological environmental and remediation company, of East Hartford, Connecticut. 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. Are you a Colonia High School graduate that has been diagnosed with a brain tumor? 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. After discovering 94 former students and staff from Colonia High School which was built in 1967 had been diagnosed with rare brain tumors, Dr. Joseph Massimino, superintendent of . This all came to fruition in August of last year, and it just startled Lupiano. 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. But we'd love to be able to rule out the school.". 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. The township announced results of an investigation. The sudden death of his sister led Lupiano on a research mission about the rare brain tumors. Its not something in soil. Radiologic Technologist Per Diem. 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. Is Colonia High School the cause of primary brain tumors in former students and staff from 1975 to 1995? Al Lupiano has found 107 people with primary brain tumors who all attended or worked at Colonia High School. By Sean Adams, WCBS Newsradio 880. BSN or must obtain within 3 years. ', * 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Qualifications: Current and valid New Jersey Registered Nurse license is required. Hochul deflects when asked about 'good cause' eviction bill, Judge: Former coach's discrimination lawsuit against New York Giants and NFL can proceed, Supreme Court justices pour water on NYs push to save mob-busting seaport watchdog, NJ Legislature OKs bill to make landlords, sellers warn residents about past floods. What treatments are available for the afflicted? 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. Since . 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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.. I just felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions regarding the school, Komorek told NJ Advance Media. 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. 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. Nsikan runs the health and science desk at WNYC/Gothamist. In April, the township entered an emergency agreement with T&M Associates, of Middletown, for professional environmental engineering services for a radiological assessment of Colonia High in an amount not to exceed $221,350. A scientist and mother is demanding answers after tests she conducted found cancer-causing toxins and materials were present at the school where more than 100 former students have since been. Part Time, Per diem position. "I am beyond pleased to announce that after an extensive field investigation that included assessing the classrooms, school building materials, and the entire 28 acres of the Colonia High School campus, no radiological hazards were identified that warrant further investigation," he wrote in a letter to families. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. WWE Star Sonya Deville Arrested In Atlantic City On Gun Charge, Atlantic City Official & Council Candidate Facing Assault Charge, Former Press of Atlantic City Office Building To Get New Purpose, Atlantic City Area Residents Share Favorite Childhood Memories, Atlantic City, NJ Mayor Leading Free Resident Credit Repair Effort, Atlantic City, NJ Area Great Hurricane Of 1944 (AMAZING PHOTOS), Atlantic Citys Chris Ford Proved That Nice Guys Finish First, NJ Author Discusses What We Can Do to Address Bullying in Schools. Find NJ.com on Faceboo. 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. Over 122 people connected to Colonia High School were found to have brain tumors. He made a public plea on Facebook to anyone from the school who was diagnosed with primary brain tumors. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media. What steps are investigators taking to try to figure this out? Medical experts are urging caution but also advising that there is no need for residents to panic. 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. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," said Lupiano. He was diagnosed 20 years ago. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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 . Asking them to be patient for several more weeks is unacceptable. 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. "We're going to test and hope we find nothing," McCormac previously said. 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. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart, while Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. A stock photo shows medical workers looking at a brain scan or brain scans. 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 tumor, according to CBS News. Job in West Orange - Essex County - NJ New Jersey - USA , 07052. So that has already begun. "My wife fought like crazy. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Colonia High School: Environmentalists determining possible link between New Jersey school and brain tumors - ABC7 Chicago tumor Former students wonder if their brain tumors are. 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. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. She loves a good music pun and wakes up very very early. Lupiano, an environmental scientist, began researching the matter and reaching out to people on Facebook who had attended the school and been diagnosed with primary brain tumors. 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. An investigation has been launched after more than 100 people who attended a high. WOODBRIDGE, NJ Air quality testing is being done at Colonia High School this week, while the Woodbridge school district is closed for spring break. Jason Wisinski is another person affected by the spate of tumor cases. Earlier this year, Lupianos sister lost her battle with a very rare and highly aggressive malignant glioma brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at age 44. Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, believed it was a pattern. Social media has played a big role in shining the light of truth on this situation. 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. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. I had stage 4 cancer. The testing was prompted after township officials learned of various social media posts related to several instances of brain tumors and brain cancer among students and faculty of CHS from approximately 1975-99. 100 former NJ high school students . The school was built in 1967 and currently serves roughly 1,300 students, the NY Post noted. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. 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. They are leaving radon canisters at the school for 14 days, which will test for elevated levels of radon. "It's certainly concerning because the rate of primary brain tumors is certainly higher than what we would expect in the general population," said Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society. Colonia is not a mega high school. My best friend had a cancerous brain tumor. And there are many different forms of these cancers. "My wife fought like crazy. Thats what makes the numbers staggering, says Lupiano. The results will then be reviewed by federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, plus the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health. Dating back decades, newly detailed reports of more than 100 cases of brain tumors among former students and staff at Colonia High School in Woodbridge have raised obvious concerns. Lupiano has found nearly 200 people with links to Colonia High School who have brain tumors or other rare cancers. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. Most of them during the years of 1972 to 2000, said Matthew Stanmyre with NJ Advance Media, who broke the news. I know so many people who have ailments and cancer specifically who lived near there. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "I went on Facebook on March 7, and I asked for the people on Facebook to help me find others. 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