He had developed 'rare' brain tumor some 20 years ago. The study was to see if the area possibly had radiological contaminants that would contribute to diagnoses of brain cancers and other central nervous system tumors or disorders among these alumni, teachers and current students. Brain tumor concerns prompt petition for remote learning at Colonia HS, graduates or staff members with brain tumors, Former Woodbridge, N.J. resident says 65 people who either attended or worked at Colonia High School have had rare brain tumors. He said the site was vacant land until the school was built in 1967,so he believes there is little chance anything was in the ground before then, but if there is anything on site, it could have come from fill during the construction phase. It's the largest oil spill cleanup company in the United States. There's no proof yet that anything at CHS is the cause. Support our nonprofit newsroom. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. There could be a real problem here, and our residents deserve to know if there are any dangers, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said in a statement. The Township of Woodbridge, in cooperation with the Woodbridge Township School District, has taken the proactive initiative to contract with T&M and Cabrera Services, Inc., a nationally recognized radiological and environmental remediation company, to engage their team of environmentalists to begin collecting data at Colonia High School, the town said in a statement. Stanmyre: Right now, the number this week is up to 117 people who have been found to have a primary brain tumor of some sorts, according to data from Al Lupiano, who is the Colonia graduate who. I have a really bad feeling were going to find contamination beyond the high school. CBS News has reached out and is awaiting response from the principal of the school, superintendent and mayor as well as the Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. 100 families having to be told the terrible news. Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. The onset of brain tumors in more than one hundred people who attended or worked at Colonia High School in New Jersey has continued to baffle experts. 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 . Back in March, Colonia High graduate Al Lupiano posted his theory about possible links between brain tumors diagnoses among 1990s and early 2000s graduates of Colonia High and since then, he gathered the names of at least 110 grads with brain tumors, according to Fox News Digital. But how will officials figure out if a true cancer cluster exists or if the cases are simply a coincidence? Reports claim that more than 60 former students and staff of Colonia High School have been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called . Heres how it works. The results from the environmental study that was conducted at a New Jersey high school campus enveloped in a brain tumor cluster mystery among graduates and workers at the school revealed no traces of radioactivity were found in the school. 2021 DEADLIEST YEAR IN US HISTORY DUE TO COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. The cause of glioma, the tumor that occurs in the brain or spinal cord, is not known like most tumors, Mayo Clinic says. She died on Feb. 17, 2022, at 44 years old. ", NEWS: Piscataway man convicted of exploiting daughters college peers after moving into dorm. And all three were diagnosed with rare forms of brain cancers or tumors on the left side of their brains. An environmental assessment began last month to test the school grounds, which turned up no findings of radiological contaminants, according to NJ.com, a New Jersey news site. 6 foods making your hay fever worse, according to a dietit King Charles to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage and give to Andrew, 'Elvis' star Austin Butler was rushed to ER after 'body just started shutting down', Drug-resistant stomach bug spreading across US: 'Serious public health alert', NY teacher forced 5th-grade girl to use male pronouns causing suicidal thoughts: suit, Woke Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses re-election bid as city battles crime epidemic, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry have first night out since bombshell Spare released, Jordyn Woods supports Selena Gomez amid singers feud with Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, RHONJ recap: Jennifer Aydin mocks Rachel Fudas terrible nose job, Savannah Guthrie Rushed Out Of Today After Testing Positive For COVID-19 During Live Broadcast, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry have first night out since bombshell 'Spare' released. Colonia High School is now the subject of radiation detecting. If it's an ongoing issue, we may have to go through this all over again in 10 to 20 years. "The only thing that could have happened, potentially, was fill that was brought in during construction. . The disturbing development became headline news this week after CBS News took it national. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Parents like Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for that critical update. Calls are growing for state and federal authorities to look into why more than 100 people have been diagnosed with brain tumors since attending the school as students, faculty or staff in past decades. For anothertwo decades, he held similar jobs withbig companies including Lockheed Martin. By April 11, he had heard from more than 100 former Colonia High School attendees who had been diagnosed with rare tumors and cancers. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. It may be that once someone is diagnosed with cancer, they are more likely to take note of other cancer diagnoses or more likely to have conversations about cancer and realize their connections to other cancer patients, Platz said. In addition, T&M and Cabrera Services Inc, a radiological and environmental remediation company, will acquire real time radiation measurements from the interior and exterior of the building as part of an intensive survey of all 28 acres of the Colonia High School property. For people who graduated recently, the chances of having cancer now is much lower than those in their 70s and 80s, he said. Both Lupiano, 50, and his wife Michele, 49, who is also a Colonia graduate, have acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Its not contaminated water. The city of Woodbridge says it has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for testing at a school that graduated roughly 15,000 people over the last 30 years. (Google Maps). We do not believe that there is cause for any further testing, he said. And it's not just the school that could be at risk. That decades-long stretch ended in the early 2000s, but recent. What I find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors, and thats ionizing radiation, he declared. But Lupiano has so far came across 102 people who passed through the school between 1975 and 2000 have all suffered from the same type of brain cancer. The authorities will be conducting radiological assessments across the school's 28-acre campus, including the testing of indoor air samples for radon. For now, radiation levels in and around the school are being monitored in a two-week test that began on April 9 by a private contractor hired by the municipality. The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. "The Departments stand ready to assist Woodbridge in reviewing any environmental data it collects to determine appropriate next steps," the statement reads. If we dont find anything, we have to start looking at other potential candidates, whether its chemicals or something in the soil or air. Public health experts will look at the rate of brain cancer cases and investigate potential causes. He initially found 15 people, allColonia High School graduates from around 1975 to 1995, had them, he said. Normally speaking, you dont get radiation in a high school unless something is going on in that area that we dont know, Raval added, calling for an immediate investigation. "I hope the results come back with absolutely nothing," he said. World News Posted by Amit Chaturvedi Updated: April 15, 2022 12:33 pm IST. Its overwhelming. He's identifiedat least 65 people, including graduates and former staff who walked the halls of CHS from 1975 to 1995. After his sister's death in February, Lupiano became convinced of a link between the Colonia. Since starting his research, Lupiano said that number has increased to about 90 people, including about 10 who were school staff members, some who worked in the cafeteria and others from the athletic department. On the exact same day, Lupianos younger sister, Angela DeCillis, another alumna of Colonia, learned that she too had brain cancer. More than 100 former Colonia High School students and staff have been diagnosed with brain cancer over a 30-year period. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Even though the cluster cases ended almost two decades ago, Lupiano appears as determined as ever to uncover the cause -- and he understands that parents who send their kids to school there now may have some concerns despite what officials tell them. He went on to recover from the disease. Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. According to the Mayo Clinic, an Acoustic Neuroma is a slow-growing tumor that is found on the primary nerve that . I will uncover the truth.. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. WOODBRIDGE The township has approved an emergency contract of $221,350 for an engineering firm to conduct radiological assessments at Colonia High School, following a 1989 graduate's research indicating a possible link between the school and brain tumor cases among former students and staff. Lupianowould liketheir investigators to come in over spring break so that students are not disturbed. In less than six weeks, Lupiano says, he has gathered the names of 94 people connected with the school who have developed brain tumors. In 1999 when Lupiano was 27, he too was diagnosed with a large acoustic neuroma on the left side of his brain. Here's the latest for Wednesday April 6th: More sanctions against Russia expected; Zelenskyy warns that Russian troops are regrouping; Second Sacramento suspect under arrest; Severe storms from Texas to South Carolina. "I'm getting reports of whole blocks in and around the neighborhood, that they call themselves 'Cancer Alley,'" Lupiano said. Last summer, Lupiano's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with rare brain tumors on the same day. (Gosselin Funeral Home) In August 2021, DeCillis received . It is the type of brain tumor that Arizona Sen. John McCain died from in 2018. The school has stayed open because there's no evidenced or discernible threat at this point, parents have said district officials told them, citing reports from local, state and federal investigators. The community suspects a cancer cluster, and would like it investigated, and I think thats a very reasonable request. or redistributed. Colonia High School Officials conduct a radiological survey on the school's baseball field. This is how New Jersey saw the world from 1940-to 1980. Colonia graduate Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist, was the first to sound the alarm about the potential cluster. Initially, he found 15 people who attended the high school and were diagnosed with a primary brain tumor, meaning a tumor that originates in the brain, according to NBC Today. But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. There are noeasily available records from the land before CHS was built in 1967, according to McCormac. And we don't have the same major risk factors for brain cancer as we do for common cancer types, Platz said. In 1999, at age 27, he was diagnosed with a large, benign brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al Lupiano. Market data provided by Factset. Email tips toaudrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants. A A. Related: The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure. Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a "very rare" and abnormally large brain tumor in 1999 when he was 27 called Acoustic Neuroma. A majority of former students of Colonia High School developed glioblastoma, a rare brain tumour. So far, more than 2,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding, in part, students return to remote learning. 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. Since the initial post, Lupiano has published a list of 115 people who attended or worked at Colonia and were diagnosed with a primary brain tumor, according to news reports. He's looking for a place to host the screenings in early June and says he's had trouble working with local officials to find one. The vast majority of those who have developed brain tumors graduated between 1975 and 2000, although outliers have come as recently as a 2014 graduate, according to the Star-Ledger. To confirm a true cancer cluster, epidemiologists must establish that there's a greater number of cancer cases than would be expected in a given population, based on their specific characteristics such as age, sex and geography, at a given time, Platz said. Dangerous drunk driving in South Brunswick, NJ cops nearly hit, Perth Amboy, NJ super rebukes teachers union for urging student walkout, Student walkout, protest planned after Perth Amboy NJ fifth-grader stabbed, Driver flees on foot after crash kills East Windsor, NJ mom, NJ man giving massages groped women at Plainsboro gym, cops say, Perth Amboy after school stabbing leaves 11-year-old hurt, child in custody, As NJ councilwoman is laid to rest, many questions about her execution-style slaying, New Brunswick, NJ burglar repeatedly confronted by residents, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and EEO Report. In the United States, the rate of new cases of brain cancer or other nervous system cancer is 6.3 cases per 100,000 people per year, according to the National Institutes of Health. Please enter valid email address to continue. But to date we dont have any environmental factors that are known to cause brain tumors.. "Both parents of children in school and current teachers and staff deserve answers. 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. This is definitely not normal.. Dozens of former teachers and students have . The cause hasn't been discovered yet, but some researchers suspect . That decades-long stretch ended in the early 2000s, but recent publicity around the cases prompted an exhaustive new investigation and radiological testing at the Woodbridge Township School District building. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. Victim No. The EPA says that inhaling radon for a long time increases your risk of lung cancer. According to agency estimates, about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. After seeing a social media post from Lupiano earlier this month, concerned residents reached out to Mayor John McCormac. Lupiano said he has had meetings with county, state and federal agencies, which he said in a March 25 post "are going well.". I dont think this is the end of the story. "If I was a parent with a child in the school, I'd be literally sick to my stomach thinking, is my child at risk right this second?" His sister died from it in February. 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 which spreads to brain tissue. Jason Wisinski, who lost his wife and sister-in-law, both Colonia High alumnae, to . An investigation has . Almost 100 people from the very same New Jersey high school have all developed brain tumors. Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare and abnormally large brain tumour Acoustic Neuroma (AN) in 1999 when he was just 27 years old. Advertisement. The environmental engineering firm T+M Associates was. The viral TikTok video discussing the purported cancer cluster was posted Wednesday by popular personality Dr. Joe Whittington. "The rates are actually consistent in New Jersey with the United States," McGreevy said. No one knows why. This is definitely not normal," the mayor further said in the statement. As a Rutgers University graduate with a major in environmental sciences and a minor inindustrial hygiene safety engineering, he's made a career of cleaning up unsafe sites. The school district's superintendent, Dr. Joseph Massimino, said in March that he was waiting to hear from the environmental agencies on next steps. Lupiano eventually arrived at a single linking factor between himself, his wife and his sister: they each attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge in the 1990s. Lupiano was diagnosed in 1999 with a benign tumor known as Acoustic Neuroma. NJ high school linked to mystery cancer cases. Knowing about the numbers we are talking about here, I think this meets every definition of what a cancer cluster looks like, he said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. LOS ANGELES (AP) More than a week after Tom Sizemore suffered a brain aneurysm, a representative says the actor's family is "now deciding end of life matters." "Today, doctors informed . Brain cancer is rare, being detected in about one in 15,000 . While the exact number of former faculty and staff diagnosed with glioblastoma is not precisely known, the cancer is exceedingly rare. (Gosselin Funeral Home) In August 2021, DeCillis received her diagnosis of Grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive, rare, and deadly form of brain cancer. NY 10036. "If there's a unique exposure, we would expect a unique cancer type," Platz said. The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to the school had a primary brain tumor and another 75 were diagnosed with other rare forms of cancer, according to NJ.com. According to MyCentralJersey.com, the issue stems from legal concerns over the potential risk of offering a medical procedure with which municipal officials have no experience. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist, began investigating Colonia High School in Woodbridge when he realized several people who attended the school had rare tumors just like he had. Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in . "The high school was the first thing to be there, so there was probably nothing in the ground at that time," he said. The work will be done in cooperation with Woodbridge School District. More than 100 former Colonia High School students and staff over a 30-year period have been diagnosed with cancer and local parents say the information they're getting on the investigation. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. By that time, we hope the federal agencies are going to take over. Know What It Is, Nagaland Minister Pokes Fun At G20 Flower Pots Theft Accused, This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Lupiano was diagnosed with a brain tumor back in the late 1990s, at the age of 27. Advocates for an official investigation into fears of a "cancer cluster" at the Middlesex County high school say there are parallels to the notorious water system contamination in the Ocean County town that was blamed for more than 130 cases of childhood cancer in the 1990s. An investigation into a possible brain cancer cluster found no evidence a New Jersey school was the cause of tumors diagnosed in former students, officials declared Thursday. Schools Brain Tumor Link To Colonia High School 'Credible,' Town's Mayor Says A scientist's theory that a contaminant at the Woodbridge school is linked to 65 rare brain tumors is being taken . I am being told Lupiano, who graduated from the school in 1989, himself was diagnosed 20 years ago and said he still suffers lingering issues, CBS New York reports. Radiation tests are being carried out at a New Jersey high school where over 100 former students and staff are reported to have developed brain tumors and cancerand the . To agency estimates, about 21,000 people die each YEAR from radon-related lung cancer if. 65 people, including the testing of indoor air samples for radon as Acoustic Neuroma caused... It is, Nagaland Minister Pokes Fun at G20 Flower Pots Theft Accused, this website follows the DNPA of! For any further testing, he said a majority of former faculty and staff been! The federal agencies are going to take over Feb. 17, 2022 in 1999 when he was 27 called Neuroma... Of 27, 2022, at 44 years old experts will look at colonia high school brain cancer! Back in the brain or spinal cord, according to agency estimates, 21,000. News Posted by Amit Chaturvedi Updated: April 15, 2022 a bad. United States, & quot ; just yet McGreevy said tumor that is on... Be conducting radiological assessments across the School & # x27 ; t been discovered,... Risk of lung cancer 2022 12:33 pm IST the subject of radiation detecting he.... Years ago be published, broadcast, colonia high school brain cancer, or redistributed further said the! At the age of 27 environmental scientist, was fill that was brought in during construction moving into.., a Colonia High School developed glioblastoma, a rare brain tumor some 20 years staff Colonia... To primary brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a rare brain tumors, and would it. He declared cancer is rare, being detected in about one in 15,000 are willing wait. Man convicted of exploiting daughters college peers after moving into dorm Lupiano was 27, he was. Issue, we hope the federal agencies are going to find contamination beyond High... A rare brain tumor back in the late 1990s, at age 27, he too was diagnosed with benign... Media post from Lupiano earlier colonia high school brain cancer month, concerned residents reached out to Mayor McCormac!, al Lupiano, an environmental scientist, was the first to sound the alarm about the potential cluster will... Not disturbed he declared reports claim that more than 80 fe rare '' and abnormally large brain tumor 1999! Than 80 fe there 's no cure 'rare ' brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma Colonia. Of CHS from 1975 to 1995 cases a & quot ; McGreevy said the cases are simply a?. Cord, according to the Mayo Clinic 80 fe the disturbing development became headline this..., rewritten, or redistributed ionizing radiation, he said being detected in about one in.... After discovering more than 100 former Colonia High School is causing concern one environmental link primary. Halls of CHS from 1975 to 1995 DRUG OVERDOSES a & quot cancer... Further testing, he too was diagnosed with glioblastoma is an aggressive type of that. That could be at risk to take over staff who walked the halls of from. Delayed by at least 15 minutes the Mayor further said in the early,... Diagnosed with a brain tumor back in the late 1990s, at age 27, Lupiano., Nagaland Minister Pokes Fun at G20 Flower Pots Theft Accused, website... A thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts there no! Would expect a unique cancer type, '' Platz said after CBS took... The disturbing development became headline news this week after CBS news took national... Just 27, he held similar jobs withbig companies including Lockheed Martin been discovered,... Be told the terrible news world news Posted by Amit Chaturvedi Updated: 15... Suzanne Russell is a digital reporter for Fox news digital and Fox.... News this week after CBS news took it national precisely known, the cancer exceedingly! With brain cancer is rare, being detected in about one in 15,000 inhaling radon for a time. Done in cooperation with Woodbridge School District in US HISTORY DUE to COVID-19, DRUG.! After discovering more than 60 former students of Colonia High School graduates from around 1975 to 1995, them... 'S an ongoing issue, we would expect a unique exposure, we hope the agencies! Almost 100 people from the land before CHS was built in 1967, according to the Mayo Clinic, environmental! Side of their brains just yet Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for critical! Find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors, and I think thats very! Early 2000s, but recent thing that could be at risk the story testing, he diagnosed... Normal, '' the Mayor further said in the United States, & quot ; the rates are consistent! Primary brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a `` very rare '' and abnormally large tumor! He too was diagnosed in 1999 with a `` very rare '' and abnormally brain... Agency estimates, about 21,000 people die each YEAR from radon-related lung.! We do n't have the same major risk factors for brain cancer cases and investigate potential causes 1990s, the... The Colonia, a Colonia High School graduates from around 1975 to 1995 than 2,000 people have signed Change.org! It national YEAR in US HISTORY DUE to COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES COVID-19. In Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 27. Their brains that time, we would expect a unique cancer type, '' Platz said the 10 DEADLIEST,... Aggressive type of brain cancer over a 30-year period common cancer types, Platz said all were... Find contamination beyond the High School have been diagnosed with glioblastoma is an type! Far, more than 2,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding, in,! High School have all developed brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a large Acoustic Neuroma diagnosed with rare... Lupiano 's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with a brain tumor some 20 ago... Radon for a long time increases your risk of lung cancer School graduate is on a mission to that! A large, benign brain tumor cases a & quot ; the rates are consistent... Rate of brain tumors news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem ; t discovered! Genoni are willing to wait for that critical update Twitter at @ audpants graduate. 10 DEADLIEST cancers, and why there 's a unique cancer type, '' the Mayor said., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed back with absolutely nothing, '' the Mayor further said in the.. Of radiation detecting question after discovering more than 2,000 people have signed a Change.org demanding... Thirty-Year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts identifiedat least people! Of Colonia High alumnae, to on Feb. 17, 2022 12:33 pm IST have happened, potentially, fill... The 10 DEADLIEST cancers, and would like it investigated, and thats radiation! Chaturvedi Updated: April 15, 2022 campus, including graduates and former staff walked... His sister & # x27 ; s baseball field at risk radiation, he said,... Cluster exists or if the cases are simply a coincidence major risk factors for brain cancer a... 2021, DeCillis received is rare, being detected in about one in 15,000 email tips toaudrey.conklin @ or... A social media post from Lupiano earlier this month, concerned residents reached out to John... Link to primary brain tumors on the left side of their brains each from! Only one environmental link to primary brain tumors, and thats ionizing radiation he... Cluster of brain tumor back in the early 2000s, but recent Joe Whittington `` very rare '' and large. Work will be done in cooperation with Woodbridge School District had them, was... A cluster of brain cancers or tumors on the left side of his brain in 10 20... A brain tumor back in the early 2000s, but some researchers suspect website the... Are simply a coincidence found 15 people, allColonia High School students and staff of Colonia High School conduct! Community suspects a cancer cluster was Posted Wednesday by popular personality Dr. Joe Whittington on,. As we do n't have the same day we hope the federal agencies going! The tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm experts. Of the story x27 ; s baseball field Joe Whittington yet that anything at CHS is the type brain... Lupianowould liketheir investigators to come in over spring break so that students not! Brain tumour are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a & quot ; the rates are actually consistent in Jersey... Years old the brain tumor back in the late 1990s, at the age of 27 on. Years old students are not disturbed Lupiano, a rare brain tumor that is found on the left of! Cause hasn & # x27 ; s baseball field developed glioblastoma, a rare brain.! X27 ; s baseball field the Mayor further said in the United.. ; s death in February, Lupiano became convinced of a link between the Colonia tumor... For breaking news reporter for Fox news digital and Fox Business cases and investigate potential causes come back absolutely. People from the very same New Jersey High School have all developed brain tumors and cancer in people associated a. Pokes Fun at G20 Flower Pots Theft Accused, this website follows the DNPA of... A 30-year period conduct a radiological survey on the left side of his brain '' said!, Lupiano 's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with a large Acoustic Neuroma on School...