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Pocono News Section
Government Investigates Cancer Cluster
Government Investigates Cancer Cluster - Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 4:55PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008 @ 04:55pm EST
TOBYHANNA - Many people who live in Monroe County say something is killing their kids. Several have died from rare cancers and dozens more are battling the disease.
Now the government is involved. The department of health is investigating whether or not their might be a cancer cluster.
At least one mother can't wait to hear the answer.
For Kathleen Mitchel of Tobyhanna, June 25th is the most painful day of the year.
She said, "It was hard getting out of bed today."
Today is her son Steven's Birthday.
"He should be 21 with his whole life ahead of him and he doesn't get that," she said.
The day brings so many painful memories. Kathleen told Eyewitness News about his last birthday wish.
"He should be worried about getting a drivers license, going on a date, anything, and all the kid wanted was a sip of water and I couldn't give it to him," she remembered.
He was preparing for surgery so he was not allowed drinks or food. But he stayed positive.
"Steven always prayed for the other kids. He always figured he was gonna live so he always prayed for all the ones who wouldn't," said Kathleen.
Steven died just four days after he turned 16.
"I wish he never had to get leukemia. I wish we could figure out why that happened," she said.
The Mitchels say they know of at least 20 other families in Monroe County that are dealing with or have dealt with childhood cancer. More than half of them are in the Tobyhanna area. And they don't think it's a coincidence.
Kathleen said, "I think people need to be aware if there is something up here that is causing our kids to get cancer and killing some of them."
Several parents whose children have cancer or have died from cancer have formed an informal support group in Tobyhanna.
"It's nice to have that support and be able to talk to somebody and throw your arms around somebody and not have to say anything and they just get it," said Kathleen.
The group pushed the government to investigate the problem.
"An answer would at least maybe prevent somebody else from having to go through this," she said.
And an answer would make June 25th a little more bearable.
The State Department of Health expects to release the results of its cancer cluster study next week. | | |
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