Investigation launched into extremely rare cancer striking kids in CA enclave: Deeply concerning

Families in an affluent Southern California community are being urged to come forward as attorneys launch an investigation into an alarming number of rare childhood cancer cases.Bond Legal said it is confidentially gathering information from those whose children lived in or regularly visited Ladera Ranch in Orange County and were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma or other childhood cancers.The probe comes after at least six children connected to the master-planned community have been diagnosed since 2013, according to affected families.The rare bone and soft tissue cancer affects only about 200 to 240 children and teens nationwide each year, according to the American Cancer Society.“The concentration of cases in a single community is deeply troubling, especially to those who live there,” said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal.The Post has reached out to the firm for further comment and to inquire whether it has contacted affected families or begun any internal investigation.The Post has also reached out to the Orange County Health Care Agency for comment.According to residents, the agency has said it is looking into the matter.The law firm said it is seeking information from parents whose children lived in or frequently visited Ladera Ranch, attended local schools, churches, parks, camps or sports facilities, and were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma or another rare childhood cancer, according to the Legal Advocate.

It is also asking families to share information about possible exposure to pesticides, herbicides, contaminated soil or water, construction materials or other environmental hazards.“Families deserve transparency about what their children may have been exposed to,” Bond said.“When rare cancers appear in clusters, every environmental factor — no matter how routine it may seem — must be examined carefully.”Bond Legal stressed that multiple cancer diagnoses alone do not establish that a particular exposu...