The Acreage Cancer Study

Just rummaging through some documents and came across this very fair article that Mitra Malek wrote. It really does a good job of summing everything up and gives a small timeline at the end of the article. Worth a re-read.

By Mitra Malek

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

THE ACREAGE — The e-mail came from a local MOMS Club member at 9 o'clock one night last June.

"Did you know last year we had four kids in our area diagnosed with brain tumors," said the note, addressed to residents in The Acreage. "All of our families live less than two miles from each other."

Tracy Newfield hadn't heard a thing about it. But the mother of two had endured terror and pain since 2005, when surgeons removed her 11-year-old daughter's malignant brain tumor.

Jennifer Dunsford's e-mail, asking residents to note their cancer history for a state inquiry, read like a cursed tale of coincidence. "I was scared to death," Newfield said.

So began a year of uncertainty, worry and skepticism as The Acreage wrestled with two fearful words: cancer cluster.

Click here to read the entire article. 

After failed attempts to develop its 3,900-acre citrus farm on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Callery-Judge Grove could become Palm Beach County's newest city.

The Florida Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a bill (SB 692) that would allow the special improvement district surrounding the grove to incorporate.

If approved by Gov. Rick Scott, voters could ask the improvement district's governing board to convert to a municipality. Ulitmately, a majority of the district's voters would have to approve the measure.

Seminole Improvement District, which includes Callery-Judge, is one of a handful across the state that would be allowed to incorporate under the legislation.

West Palm Beach attorney Bob Diffenderfer, who represents both Callery-Judge and the improvement district, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Click here to read the entire article.

"Having cancer turned out to be one of the most positive things in my life," Abbe Felton of Loxahatchee said.

Only 49 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Felton was a busy wife and a mother of four. And even though she had her family's unconditional support, her doctor suggested she go to a Bosom Buddies support group meeting.

" I didn't want to go. Then I thought, 'I'll go one time, but I'm not talking,' " Felton said. "But I walked into that room and I wasn't there 10 minutes and they had me. It was like a warm fuzzy blanket being thrown over you when you're cold."

Click here to read the entire article.

Palm Beach County is renting 1,900 acres it bought for $46 million to a farm for $150,000 per year, the South Florida Business Journal reported. But at least its finally generating some revenue on its unfortunate acquisition.

Click here to read the entire article.

Gary Carter went to Christ Fellowship church - we were members there when we lived in Florida. He lived in Palm Beach Gardens - RIP!

With his boyish enthusiasm, wide smile and constant hustle, Carter forged a 19-year career that included a memorable five-season stretch with the New York Mets. He died at 57, less than a year after being diagnosed with the disease.

"I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 p.m.," Carter's daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote on the family website. "This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know."

Click here to read the entire article.

Defamation IS a serious thing - especially on the Internet where cowardous folk think they can hide behind a sudo (user) name and personally attack ANYONE they want. I had my share of personal attacks during the cancer cluster investigation & confirmation! I seriously considered suing a select few over defamation and had I had Phil Mickelson's bucks (money/mula) I would HAVE!!

People HAVE to be held accountable for their awful awful online behaviour especially when it's defaming and slanderous!

KUDOS TO YOU PHIL MICKELSON!

Click here to read the entire article.

THE ACREAGE — The Acreage has a cluster of childhood cancer cases, the head of Palm Beach County's Health Department said Monday, confirming some of the worst fears of parents who called for a state investigation last year.

Eight months of uncertainty ended Monday when state health officials confirmed that rates of brain tumors and brain cancer among children in the semirural community are higher than normal, especially among girls.

But based on early results of interviews with the families, it's unlikely that health officials will be able to pinpoint what has caused the spike, said Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the county's Health Department, a division of the state health department.

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By Steve Dorfman

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Posted: 3:32 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

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For the parent of a cancer-stricken boy, there's but one desperate, overriding thought: "He just has to survive."

That's been Summer Orton-Smith's mantra since late October, when the Palm Beach Gardens massage therapist and her former husband, Steven Smith, were faced with the unthinkable: Their 5-year-old son Brock had a large, malignant brain tumor pressing against his brain stem.

He needed immediate surgery.

"We were numb, in shock, just going on autopilot. We didn't even have time to be scared," recalls Orton-Smith, 33, of the early days that would turn her life upside-down.

Click here to read the entire article.

Wow - two GREAT names team up for the CHILDREN of Palm Beach County!

Miami Children's Hospital in conjunction with the Nicklaus (as in Jack Nicklaus) Children's Health Care Foundation together offer specialty care to the children of Palm Beach County.

What will they specialize in you ask?? Allergy, Immunology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, NEUROLOGY, Nephrology,, Orthopaedic Surgery & Cranio/Plastic Surgery/Reconstruction.

Where oh where will it be located you ask?? 12989 Southern Blvd. Palms West Medical Office Building III, Suite 203, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 better known as THE ACREAGE!

When will it be opening you ask?? Spring 2012 for more info & appointments call 561-383-7113

Doesn't it just peak your curiosity? Palm Beach County IS the largest county in Florida and MCH/Nicklaus choose to put their facility in Loxahatchee?? Wow

Click here to read for yourself!

Weitz & Lux dropped out of the investigation that's true.

Local counsel Searcy & Denny have taken lead in the investigation that's true.

What is not true is that the cancer cluster declaration has been rescinded.

So yes the investigation is in full swing.....SURPRISE?

Click here to read the full article.

Courtney Wolfe is a 15 year old beautiful young lady from The Acreage. She was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2009 and has fought a very hard battle.  Here is a wonderful video & article where she gets to ride in the Good Year Blimp.

Enjoy!

Click Here!

BARRE, Vt. -- Results of Vermont residents' well tests following Irene are beginning to turn up, and they showed some cases in which the water is contaminated.

The Times Argus reported that in hard-hit Pittsfield, where many households have sent in samples to the state laboratory, a number of wells have been compromised by pollutants washed in by the storm's floodwaters.

Read more: http://www.wptz.com/news/29295657/detail.html#ixzz1Z06zEnQQ

KUDOS to Vermont DOH!!!

Glioma stem cells, which give rise to deadly brain cancers, have a metabolic state that differs significantly from that of the cancer cells they give birth to, a factor that helps these stem cells avoid treatment and cause recurrences later.

Researchers with the department of radiation oncology at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center also found for the first time that these glioma stem cells can change their metabolic state at will, from glycolysis (which uses glucose) to oxidative phosphorylation (which uses oxygen).

The stem cells' ability to change their metabolic state allows them to evade treatment and remain alive, said Dr. Frank Pajonk, a UCLA associate professor of radiation oncology and senior author of the study.

Click here to read the entire article.

Posted: 09/15/2011

Last Updated: 1 hour and 34 minutes ago

By: Dan Krauth

THE ACREAGE, Fla. - It has been almost a year since health officials announced they couldn’t find a cause for the cancer cluster in The Acreage. But just days after NewsChannel 5 broke news about a new lawsuit filed in the case, more people are coming forward with new concerns in the area.

“Hell, that’s the only word I can think of to describe it,” said Andrew Lott from his Acreage home.

Lott said he doesn’t take small things for granted, like spending quiet moments with his girlfriend after the 24-year-old was diagnosed with brain cancer in June.

“They removed a mass out of my brain,” he said.

Lott grew up in the center of the cancer cluster study area. His family is now left with lingering questions.

Click here to read the entire article and view the video.

THE ACREAGE, Fla. - An attorney filed a wrongful death lawsuit Friday afternoon in the case of Joey Baratta. He passed away in September of 2009 due to brain cancer.

Baratta's family is claiming Pratt & Whitney is responsible for contaminating the soil and groundwater years ago, leading to Baratta's death. They also named Palm Beach Aggregates in the suit.

A spokesperson for Pratt & Whitney wouldn't comment on the case until he read the lawsuit. However, officials with the health department have said the company currently complies with all hazardous waste regulations. Palm Beach Aggregates couldn't be reached for comment.

Click here to read the article and watch the VIDEO!! (RIP Joey)