Mad Facts Makes Its Debut

The Center For Coalfield Justice held a gathering in North Strabane Township Thursday to help introduce a program for people in the region who have concerns about rare cancers in children and adults who feel that the oil and gas industry plays a large roll in the cause for those cancers. Mad Facts, Mothers and Dads-Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike is a grass root effort developed by Jodi Borello, Washington County Community Organizer for the Center for Coalfield Justice whose family developed breathing problems and rashes related to fracking operations near their home in South Franklin Township, and Janice Blanok of Cecil Township who lost her 19 year old son Luke to the rare cancer Ewing Sarcoma. The meeting broke out into four separate discussion groups before coming back together to discuss the group’s ideas about driving attention to the rare cancer issues throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. The groups discussed lack of media coverage, gas and oil company influence on local governments, schools and hospital systems. They also discussed how fracking companies place their well pads and explain how safe they are. The group will hold several additional meetings to gather support for one another and support for the overall community. Gatherings are scheduled for July 26 and August 23 where author Kristina Marusic will discuss her book “The New War On Cancer”. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Center For Coalfield Justice.