O’Neal Calls on Department of Health to Hold Public Meeting on Cancer Report

April 24, 2019

HARRISBURG – Following a meeting with local officials, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) today called on the Pennsylvania Department of Health to host a public meeting to discuss its recent cancer report focusing on Canon-McMillan School District and Washington County.

“The report released Tuesday raises a lot of questions,” O’Neal said. “I encourage the department to hold a public meeting so concerns surrounding the findings can be addressed. The department cut off its studies with data through the end of 2017. At least two recent cases were not included in the review. A follow-up study with 2018 data is needed.”

O’Neal and Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome called today’s meeting to gather facts surrounding a number of recent cancer cases in the Canon-McMillan School District and possible environmental causes.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to have the Department of Health address the public and answer questions regarding the report,” said Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington/Greene/Beaver). “A lot of good information was discussed today. I am eager to continue the conversation. In addition, thank you to the families who came today and shared their stories.”

“I want to personally thank the doctors, environmental officials and families who participated in today’s meeting,” O’Neal added. “While the doctors said that there are no known environmental causes of Ewing sarcoma, I am requesting the National Institutes of Health to complete a multi-year, multi-state study of this cancer so that we can gather more data and hopefully find its cause. No parent should have to watch their child suffer from this deadly disease.”

The 48th Legislative District in Washington County includes the city of Washington; Chartiers, North Franklin, North Strabane and South Strabane townships; and Canonsburg, East Washington and Houston boroughs.

Representative Tim O’Neal
48th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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