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Cancer concerns among Bayshore graduates

Group members claim nearly 100 grads died
Posted at 6:52 PM, Apr 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-25 07:54:06-04

Mallory Mannion has been on a journey for answers after her dad, Lawrence, died from cancer in 2012.

"He had colon cancer, but he had a test done to see if his cancer was hereditary or environmental and it came back environmental," said Mannion.

She said his sisters also were diagnosed with cancer. She believes the common thread is all four attending Bayshore High School between the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's. 

"At this point I don't think it's coincidental at all," said Mannion.

Mannion joined a Facebook groupwith about 1,800 members. The page is dedicated to the concerned Bayshore grads. Group members said 170 former students are living with cancer and 92 passed away from cancer.

Many of the group's members believe two diesel tanks buried on the property leaked and contaminated the property's soil and/or water. The building was torn down in the late 1990's and another Bayshore High School was built nearby. School leaders said the property was tested for contamination, but none was found.

Manatee County Commissioners plan to listen to the groups concerns during a commission meeting on Tuesday. 

"After all of this time of the blame game and doors being closed in our faces that it's so amazing that they are even addressing the issue," said Mannion.