If you are reading this, it is because you care about protecting our children…and they need our help.
Twenty years ago, autism only affected 1 in 10,000. This past February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced 1 in 150 children has an autism spectrum disorder. The prevalence rate in New Jersey, however, is much higher, affecting 1 in 94 children, including 1 in 60 boys. In the time it takes to read and respond to this appeal, another child will be diagnosed with autism.
The mission of the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology® is to identify, control and ultimately prevent exposures to environmental factors that may cause adult, and especially pediatric cancer, as well as other health problems with our children. Among the important children’s health initiatives at our Center, we are committed to scientific research focused on determining the root cause and possible treatments for autism. We need your help to reach this critical goal.
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A National Emergency…A Call to Action
With autism already reaching epidemic status, reports about an unusually high number of children with neurodevelopmental disorders born to teachers and staff working at St. Anthony’s School in Northvale, New Jersey, raised a new urgency in confronting what has become the fastest growing developmental disorder today. This small community could provide us with an explanation for the high prevalence rate of autism in New Jersey as well as shedding light on escalating autism rates in all 50 states.
To accomplish this, I formed a Task Force of national leaders in the environmental health field to investigate the St. Anthony reports through The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology®.
Shocking Significant Findings Lead to More Questions
Following months of interviews with 24 staff members, the task force found that of the 42 children born to staff working at St. Anthony’s school, 24 – or 57 percent – were diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. Ten of the children –24 percent – were diagnosed with autism.
This represents one child in four with autism and one in two with a developmental disorder. These disturbing findings represent a rate that exceeds both state and national statistics. Clearly there is something exceptional about this small population and we can learn a great deal from them.
The highly statistically significant findings from Phase I of our investigation do not tell us what may be causing the increase in autism rates nationally or what factors may be behind this particular “cluster.” Phase II of the project will include environmental testing and may identify possible exposures that could have contributed to the increase of developmental disorders.
We Need Answers NOW…Not Excuses
Some things just can’t wait, and when it comes to protecting our children, we shouldn’t have to. Unfortunately, requests to secure governmental funding to continue this type of research project can take years. We cannot wait for years when government agencies are able to make a project like St. Anthony’s a priority.
As we have learned, completing the St. Anthony’s Research Initiative will require significant investment in terms of time, experienced personal, data collection and clinical testing. It will also require private sector funding if we are to continue this important research expeditiously.
Recognizing the importance of this research, our task force is committed to this project but we need your help if we are going to move forward and succeed.
How you can help
By making a tax-deductible donation to our Center, you can help advance scientific knowledge through the St. Anthony’s Research Initiative and future research projects. The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology® is a part of Hackensack University Medical Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
Please share the many blessings you will enjoy by helping us find the answers that will protect our children’s health. Together we all can make a difference.
With grateful appreciation,
Deirdre Imus
Founder and President
12-14-07