BREVARD COUNTY, FL,. - As each medical professional asked about my childhood, my intrigue grew stronger. Upon entering the chemotherapy room, they would probe further into the specifics of where we lived as a family. Through these conversations, it became clear that our family's circumstances were indeed quite unique.
Three months after my younger brother received his diagnosis in 2013, I learned that I, too, had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This revelation came shortly after the passing of our uncle, who had lived with us but was not a blood relative due to cancer. The situation became even more challenging when our father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It was hard to grasp the reality that it seemed almost commonplace for several family members to face cancer diagnoses within the same year. My medical records indicated that environmental factors were likely contributors to my illness.
In 2014, after receiving the uplifting news of my remission, I took the initiative to create a social media group known as Florida Health Connection, which has since been rebranded as Fight For Zero. This platform was designed to collect and share information regarding various disease diagnoses within Brevard County, my beloved hometown. As I began to connect with others on a more personal level, I uncovered a community of individuals grappling with cancer, tumors, and autoimmune disorders. Engaging with patients, survivors, and their families opened my eyes to a profound realization: my life's mission had significantly transformed. I felt a deep, compelling drive to pursue answers relentlessly.
In the early stages, individuals began to forge bonds rooted in their common geographical backgrounds and similar medical experiences. This organic connection gave rise to a comprehensive compilation of information. However, as the list grew increasingly unwieldy, it became necessary to categorize the entries into distinct groups. This reorganization allowed us to start piecing together a complex puzzle that had long remained hidden from view.
The concept of home took on a new meaning for me when I uncovered the unsettling legacy of toxic waste disposal by the aerospace sector and the Department of Defense in my community. There were moments when I longed for the simplicity of my previous life, and I tried to recapture that sense of normalcy. Yet, the haunting images of those affected—individuals, families, and children enduring the pain of life-altering illnesses—remained with me. This realization ignited a deep commitment to raise awareness in my community about disease prevention and the importance of early detection.
Countless individuals have stood by as their cherished family members—mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives—faced this preventable tragedy. How many more have found themselves in the dual role of caregiver and patient? Many names emerged in the struggle against this issue, and each of those names resonated deeply with me.
Over the years, we have amassed a vast collection of medical data spanning from the 1970s to today. The staggering number of children and young adults receiving diagnoses was truly eye-opening. Our findings indicated that most of these individuals lacked a family history of cancer and were diagnosed at a young age, and genetic testing confirmed that their conditions were not hereditary.
Here is a brief illustration of some names from the list between 2013 and 2014:
- Julie was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 13 in 2013.
- A family friend, Samantha, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 27 with no family history.
- Michelle was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 30.
- Candace was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30.
- Joshua was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 27.
- Paige was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney failure at 21.
- Bri was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 26.
- David was diagnosed with kidney cancer at 27.
- Cory was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 27.
- My brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin's at the age of 21 & I was at the age of 27.
- There are unusual brain and blood cancer rates among children, ALS among engineers at NASA, and breast cancer in young women.
In Brevard County, Florida, the statistics surrounding cancer are alarming and suggest a troubling trend rather than mere coincidence. The cancer registry reveals that the area experiences a notably higher rate of certain cancers than the national average. Investigations have uncovered the presence of harmful substances, particularly PFAS chemicals, in various environments, including the Indian River Lagoon, drinking water, and groundwater. Alarmingly, these toxic compounds have also been found in the blood of local wildlife and monitoring wells, positioning our contamination levels as the third highest in the country. Over the years, the Department of Defense has contributed to this crisis by discharging waste into our waterways, developing residential areas on contaminated land, and leaving a legacy of hazardous materials from shuttle launches. From the outset of this research project, I understood that there would be no turning back from the path we had embarked upon.
In our ongoing mission, we strive to raise awareness about the historical contamination and its profound impact on health, aiming to protect families from the devastating effects of exposure. The suffering my family experiences is beyond words; despite the potential for isolation from the community that comes with speaking out, championing the truth, and sharing evidence-based information, I am prepared to face that reality.
Do you know someone in Florida battling a sickness or cancer? Someone who lost their battle? Visit http:/www.fight4zero.org to submit your information and learn more.
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