WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today made an additional request to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for their continued assistance and guidance to the St. Clair County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Community Health with identifying the possible causes of the Wilms’ Tumor cases reported in St. Clair and Macomb Counties.
In her letter to the CDC Director, Miller said: “I understand that a low number of cases such as this are not typically chosen by the CDC for further investigation; however, state and local agencies simply do not have the necessary means available to proceed with this investigation on their own. Without further aid, the children and families affected by the Wilms’ Tumor will have no answers as to whether the cancer may have been environmentally linked. These children, families and communities deserve to have this concern answered.”
In May, Miller wrote to the CDC to request their assistance with the investigation into the known Wilms’ Tumor cases in St Clair and Macomb counties; however, currently the CDC is not conducting a full investigation. Below is the text of Miller’s letter to the CDC requesting further assistance and guidance:
July 29, 2011
Christopher J. Portier, Ph.D.
Director, National Center for Environmental Health
and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Mail Stop-F61
Atlanta, GA 30333
Director Portier:
Thank you for your quick and positive response to my original request seeking assistance in the local investigation into possible environmental causes of the Wilms’ Tumor cases that have been reported in my congressional district.
I am writing to again request that the Center for Disease Control aid the St. Clair County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Community Health in identifying the possible environmental causes of Wilms’ Tumor identified in the area.
As you are aware, there have been eight cases to date in my congressional district, seven in St Clair County and one case in Macomb County. Given the close proximity of these cases, there is much concern in the community that the cause of these cases is environmental.
I understand that a low number of cases such as this are not typically chosen by the CDC for further investigation; however, state and local agencies simply do not have the necessary means available to proceed with this investigation on their own. Without further aid, the children and families affected by the Wilms’ Tumor will have no answers as to whether the cancer may have been environmentally linked. These children, families and communities deserve to have this concern answered.
Understand the severe financial constraints faced by our local offices, any recommendations of how to precede from here, or advice you could give for who else we should reach out to would be greatly appreciated. Your timely assistance to our community is critical.
Thank you in advance for your support in this matter.
Sincerely,
Candice S. Miller
Member of Congress
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