The Kristen Renee Foundation Continues Its Fight for Frederick, Md.

FREDERICK, Md., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Angie Pieper, President of The Kristen Renee Foundation will be holding a second press conference to release remarkable information that has transpired over the last four weeks, including the foundation's future plans in its fight against Fort Detrick on behalf of many residents in Frederick County who have been affected by what is believed to be a cancer cluster.

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Time: 11:00am

Location: Winchester Hall 12 East Church Street, Frederick, Md. (outside by the flag pole)

U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin sent a letter to the Department of Defense on August 16, 2010 asking the agency to look into contamination at Fort Detrick and devise a plan by Dec. 1, 2010 to remedy the situation.  The Maryland Department of the Environment , and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Deputy Secretary released a Joint Statement Regarding Fort Detrick:

The involved agencies are in ongoing communication with the Kristen Renee Foundation, which asserts that some people who lived nearby developed cancers because of Fort Detrick and that independent testing shows evidence of dioxins/Agent Orange that could be linked to the cancers.... "

The Kristen Renee Foundation believes these are both direct responses to the actions it has pursued over the past few weeks. The Foundation has not only met with the EPA, the Health Department, and Fort Detrick but it has made great strides in communicating these discoveries to the community and the media as a national platform. 

The Kristen Renee Foundation discovered and reminded Fort Detrick that Agent Orange was sprayed decades ago over Area B that was surrounded by farms and residences and is now an impacted community. The Foundation met with Fort Detrick officials and their attorneys to confirm this, gaining the admission that in fact, this was done by flyovers and spraying from the back of trucks. 

KRF believes that Fort Detrick's culture of indifference and concealment that caused the exposures at Area B continues into the present time in the Main Post.

The Foundation has obtained evidence of additional hazardous waste buried on the Main Post Area A  and a malfunctioning treatment system for ultra-hazardous waste (the decon  system). 

Randy White, on behalf of the foundation, held his first press conference on August 4, 2010 in Washington, DC providing an update of the investigation and research the foundation and specialists have been performing over the past few months. The health study shows what appears to be a distorted cancer profile in the community surrounding Ft. Detrick, with many cases of brain cancer, thyroid cancer, lymphoma and leukemia, as well as rare cancers found in 4 families in the World. The research indicates that Fort Detrick officials have done little in responding to public concerns about the apparent high rates of cancer and other illnesses surrounding the Facility.  This is supported by direct discussions with Fort Detrick officials.  The investigation also suggests the potential contamination of not just TCE or PCE, but also historical contamination with herbicides and pesticides, perhaps most notably the defoliant known as "Agent Orange".  "Agent Orange" was used during the Vietnam War in which over 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the herbicide, resulting in over 400,000 deaths and disabilities, and over 500,000 children born with birth defects.  Fort Detrick officials indicated that their own investigation shows that the U.S. Government performed aerial spraying of Agent Orange at Fort Detrick, and the full implications of this revelation have not been determined.  However, the Kristen Renee Foundation has submitted a Freedom of Information Request for any and all information related to this experimental program to better understand the possible relationship to the community's health concerns.

Randy White, Angie Pieper along with representatives of the Foundation will also be attending the second of a series of meetings held by the Frederick County Health Department to address concerns from the public about cancer clusters in Frederick County. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, September 2nd, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the first floor hearing room of Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, Md.

Items not covered by the 8:30 p.m. end time will be added to the agenda of the next scheduled meeting. Participants from state and federal environmental and public health agencies are being confirmed. Fort Detrick officials have confirmed their participation. Persons who want to share their concerns, ask questions and learn about a current cancer cluster investigation are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be broadcast live on Frederick County Government TV, channel 19, and on webcasting at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/video. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be archived for viewing on the webcasting page.

Fighting for Frederick; Our City, Our Health

The Kristen Renee Foundation launched its campaign to investigate the findings associated with Fort Detrick Area B sometime in May of this year.  In that time there have been major discoveries regarding cancer and others diseases in the community around Fort Detrick, as well as the use of Agent Orange and other toxic substances released throughout the Frederick area.

About Kristen Renee

Kristen Renee passed away in April of 2008 from a brain tumor, now a mere two years later her mother is battling stage four cancer. Their home was in Frederick, Maryland, near Fort Detrick There have been many before their family and there are many currently in the area battling with similar situations. Many found with recent diagnosis are just 30-35 years old. Most are battling or have fought a form of lymphoma and many other cancers. Their addresses were all within 6 miles of each other, all surrounding Fort Detrick.  Since the launch of "Fighting for Frederick; Our City, Our Health" thousands have visited the website and come forward with their own stories related to Fort Detrick and Area B.  For more information about The Kristen Renee Foundation and The "Fighting for Frederick" campaign please visit http://www.fightingforfrederick.org.

About Kristen Renee Foundation

The Kristen Renee Foundation is an endowment devoted to financing the research and cure for brain cancer in memory of Kristen Renee White.  Kristen died at the age of 30 on April 30, 2008 after a long difficult battle with brain cancer.  Kristen was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, wife, and friend.  Through this foundation the family and friends of Kristen carry on the battle against brain cancer in hopes of one day a cure will be discovered.

About Fort Detrick

Fort Detrick is an active U.S. Army installation operated under the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). Fort Detrick includes six non-contiguous land parcels (designated as Areas A, B, Area C Water Treatment Plant, Area C Waste Water Treatment Plant, Forest Glen Annex, and Glen Haven Annex). Areas A, B, and C, are located within the city limits of Frederick, Maryland.  Area B is approximately 399 acres and includes the Fort Detrick active municipal landfill, an animal farm (for research purposes), a former shooting range, waste disposal areas, an explosives storage area, and open fields used for historic research activities.

SOURCE The Kristen Renee Foundation