Childhood Cancer Awareness, Rocketdyne and the Santa Susana Field Lab
“Piece of pie, right Jess Musz?”
“No, daddy! Piece of cake!”
Those were the last words I said to my dad before they wheeled me in for surgery. Diagnosed at age four with Thyroid Cancer, I would spend the next two years in and out of the hospital, fighting for my life and coming very close to dying on the operating room table.
This is me at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA sometime between 1984-1986
“Living near ‘the hill’ has caused many Simi Valley residents to live a life filled with chronic illness and the belief that Rocketdyne’s nuclear meltdown caused it.” -Michael Collins, T Zone, Los Angeles Magazine
My mom visiting me after one of seven surgeries
My parent’s lived in a trailer in the parking lot just so they could be close to me.
In 1997, I was involved in a class action lawsuit against Boeing North American, Raytheon Company and various other entities who had owned and operated the Santa Susana Field Lab at one time. With over 300 members in the class action and with the powerhouse team of Masry & Vititoe (sound familiar? Same law firm that made the town of Hinkley famous with a lawsuit against PG&E with Erin Brockovich) representing us; we felt confident that a successful outcome for us would follow.
We were so wrong.
On June 29, 1999, our case was barred by the statute of limitations. The court held that, based on the facts as alleged in the complaint along with newspaper articles submitted by the defendants about the Rocketdyne facilities dating back to the early 80’s, our claim should have been brought forward before 1997. Our next step was to appeal to the Supreme Court, which also denied us. I wish that the cancerous cells in my body caused by their actions had that same statute of limitations.
First visit home from the hospital with my tracheostomy
But then the bleeding started. After three months of intense bleeding and hormone therapy, my OB/GYN recommended an ablation of my uterus. The procedure was schedule for St. Patrick’s Day 2012. An ablation meant that the dream of having anymore children would be no more. We had exhausted our options and it was the only choice we had. It took me years to get over the fact that I would not have any more children.
The ablation worked for a little over two years. In September of 2014, I almost bled out on a plane coming home from Florida and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. You can read more about this post here. The end result was a diagnosis of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma. One of the most rare forms of uterine cancer with only a handful of specialists in the world familiar with it and qualified to treat it.
Yes, I’ve battled cancer my entire life.
Rocketdyne scrapbook filled with hundreds of news articles that I’ve been saving for years.
“In 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed a $40 million soil test of the site and found 423 hot spots — places contaminated with high levels of man-made radiation.” – NBCLA
Do I think there is a link between Rocketdyne’s nuclear meltdown and my health history? You bet I do. And what upsets me even more, is that despite the fact that this meltdown has been proven, and that the facts state that there are in fact radioactive materials present in the area, the government has still not admitted there was any radioactive material released. Worse yet, there has never been any cleanup. Just a cover up.
The affected individuals of Simi Valley and surrounding areas are asking for Boeing and the government to accept fault and clean-up the SSFL site from radioactive contaminants. KB Homes is currently building a new community of single family homes in the Runkle Canyon area of Simi Valley. Soil and water at this site was reported contaminated and deemed unsafe for the development of homes.
In the U.S., 15,780 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year and approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease. How can we expect to leave a world behind that is safe for future generations if we don’t take the right steps to ensure their safety today? Dear Mr. Government, you’ve won. The statute of limitations has run out. You are no longer on the hook for the incalculable cost of the lives you’ve ruined. You won’t be responsible for the past, present, or future medical bills of the people poisoned by your waste. The least you can do, is admit the mistakes made by those who held your jobs before you and to help us begin to repair. Help us clean up the mess from this fallout.
My daughters are the most important people in the entire world to me. I will do anything I can to teach them to be leaders, with a voice. To stand for what is right and to lend a helping hand to humankind. The leaders of our government agencies that covered this up should be ashamed of themselves.
The scars that streak my body from countless surgeries could have all been avoided had proper measures been taken to keep the citizens of our city safe. Proper steps taken by our city, state and government officials could have kept this all from happening, or at the very least, helped to limit the fallout and mitigate the damage and destruction to the lives of the surrounding communities.
While watching the NBC4 report last night, tears streamed down my face and rage shook my body. It has not been an easy ride these 32 years since my initial diagnosis. I am blessed with a truly incredible husband, two HEALTHY daughters and a fire inside me for justice.
Please read the NBC report, share this information with your friends, family and officials. The only way to make a difference, is to unite and have our collective voice heard.
Jessica Gesell is the founder of Mommy Bistro, an online food and parenting blog. She resides in Ventura County.
Thank you to NBC4 Los Angeles, The Simi Valley Daily News, Los Angeles Magazine and many other news outlets for always covering our story.
Cheryl Carrillo
September 23, 2015
We, my family have lived in Simi Valley, since 1979. Unfortunately we lived in the East end, between Kuehner and Yosemite. We observed the many rocket firings from Rockeydyne and saw the fire and smoke from them. My daughter, who is now 48, but at 35 had cervical cancer, then at 45 breast cancer. No one in our family had had either disease before. Then in 2007, after trying to get pregnant for 10 years, my daughter-in-law got pregnant. My son and daughter-in-law bought our house in 1995, but had lived with us their entire married life, which now is 20 years in the same house. The little girl that was born was born with trisomy 18 and passed away at home at 8 days of life. Another of my daughters suffered several miscarriages. Just wanted to let you know our history.
Ayn
September 26, 2015
I am so sorry. I grew up in Reseda and Sepulveda. Who do we need to contact for action on this? The governor? Have u considered a change.org petition? It makes it a lot easier for people to follow through and take action.
Juliana Schwartz
June 11, 2018
There is a Change.org petition now, and you can get involved! Sign here and leave a comment if you’re interested in doing more. https://www.change.org/santasusana
Rand & Shirley Malmin
July 26, 2017
Hey, this is sickening, in regard to the way our gov’t, Rocketdyne, & all the gov’t leaders involved politically since 1959, have treated the whole occurrence & cover-up. How can no one be responsible for what has taken place. I grew up at 4610 Alamo St since 1950 to 1965 [returned home at times til 1970s]. I was married in 1969 and found out that one of our sons had Leukemia. Well, does anyone want to guess how our son had contact w Leuk? I think my son was diagnosed w Leuk b/c I was exposed to radioactive things fr Rocketdyne and it affected my gems. Both of my sons have trouble w psoriasis. My youngest son had Chemo & Radiation treatments at 2 yrs old & treatments til HS. I sense that almost everyone affected by the 1959 accident have NOT received any compensation up to this time. The fact that there was a cover-up surly means that there would be NO date where a legal matter of responsibility could not be reach now, right?
Kimberly
January 30, 2018
Is there a current class action lawsuit?
Kathy Rappaport
September 23, 2015
Thank you for your reports and for telling your story. I am sorry for the continuing battle you face regularly.
mikie kinnaman
September 23, 2015
I was raised in Canoga Park and raised my family in Simi.. I have just gone thru my second bout with breast cancer. I know of many cases of women raised there as well dealing with it too. I always knew they had covered up but I am so thankful finally Rocketydyne will be exposed for what they have done to so many of us…
Kimberly
January 30, 2018
Mike I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2013, and I grew up in chatsworth,ca lived there for the majority of my life.
I need help in who I would contact to see if I’m eligible for compensation .
Chelsea
September 23, 2015
Thanks for sharing your story. I watched NBC’s videos on their LA’s Nuclear Secret website. My son was actually playing on the playground when they filmed the playground segment in the Part 2 video. They came several months ago to ask if they could film the kids on the playground. Boy, have they been working on this story for awhile. And I’m happy to see it aired. I hope it generates more people to jump to action. Thanks again for sharing.
Nicholas Szegedi
September 23, 2015
I understand and share her anger and frustration. I feel the pain and the horror of helplessness. You see, Jessica Gesell is my daughter.
PBS showed a documentary on a very similar situation on the east coast. The name of the program is, “Rescuing the River: The Raritan”. I encourage everybody to watch this documentary even though the result is devastating and conclusion is what my daughter said, “Dear Mr. Government, you’ve won. The statute of limitations has run out. You are no longer on the hook for the incalculable cost of the lives you’ve ruined. You won’t be responsible for the past, present, or future medical bills of the people poisoned by your waste. The least you can do, is admit the mistakes made by those who held your jobs before you and to help us begin to repair. Help us clean up the mess from this fallout.”
Allyson Verity
September 23, 2015
You are a brave warrior… You are so amazing for taking a stand and making sure that they take ownership of their horrific mistakes… We are all so proud of you!! ❤️
Carri B
September 24, 2015
You’re one strong woman, Jess, and you’re setting such an awesome example for your girls. Keep up the amazing fight! We’re all standing behind you!
Mindy
September 24, 2015
You are such a strong woman Jessica! I never knew about you having to go through any of this!! You are so strong! You always have a smile on your face! I’m so sorry you have had to endure all of this! You are in my prayers! ?
Jenny howard
September 25, 2015
Thank you for sharing your story. I too can relate. We grew up on the east side of simi from 1983 to 1989. My little sister battled breast cancer at the age of 18 and cervical cancer eventually took away her uterus. I battled uterine cancer as well and had a hysterectomy in my early 30s. So many other health issues, none of which run on either side of our family. Its a shame that nothing is being done about this. We are victims of a cover up, and we have zero recourse. Its a shame… and we live in fear about what’s going to happen to our bodies next, if we will live to see our children grow up. We didnt deserve any of this.
Stephanie V.
September 26, 2015
My family, as well, was impacted by this cover up. My mom and dad moved to the Agoura/Oak Park border in the late 70’s. No one told them about Rocketdyne. Both my sister and I have fought thyroid cancer (no family history). My sister’s cancer was caught early because of my history, but unfortunately my cancer was more aggressive, in my lymph nodes, and I never received a clear even after surgery and that horrible radiation treatment. I know several other people I grew up with that have thyroid, among other, cancers. No one talks about our side of the hill much, except whispers, so I am thrilled this topic is finally getting the attention it deserves. You are not alone.
Tony G
September 30, 2015
My grandpa bought a house in 64 off goshen st, my mom 2 uncles and an aunt were all raised in that are there whole lives.In the mid 90’s My grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer and beat it, a few years later with colon. Thank god it was caught early enough both times. This year my moms best friend who was raised on almar st and still lives in the same house who is now 53 was diagnosed with breast cancer. There are too many people from such a small area catching cancer. Something has to be done.
Jennifer Diello
December 21, 2016
Is anyone aware of a group or organization keeping track of cancer related illnesses due to Rocketdyne fall out? I believe my family may be part of a cluster.
Mommy Bistro
February 1, 2017
Hi Jennifer,
Denise Duffield is the Associate Director of the Physicians for Social Responsibility. She can be reached at 213-689-9170 ext. 1100. She is a wealth of knowledge on the current status with the field lab. Hope this helps!
Lane
February 21, 2017
The last chance to urge the Department of Energy to not back out on thier agreement to remove Santa Susana’s radioactive nuclear waste and toxic chemicals, is 6:30 tonight at Airtel Hotel, Van Nuys.
http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f81a7f31e66a188c030084c80&id=3675874f37
Rhonda Dunham
December 10, 2017
How do you know the toxins have not invaded your reproductive system and your daughters may suffer cancer years from now. I ask because I lived in chatsworth and canoga park. My brother died of a very rare lung cancer in 1990
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Linda
May 14, 2018
I am so very sorry you have gone through all of this. In 1988 we purchased a new home in a brand new subdivision in Simi Valley. Believe it ot not, I had never geard of Rocketdyne. When we purchased our home the builder never disclosed anything about it. And this is and a very well known builder in California. We moved in had no landscaping and had a pool put in dirt flying everywhere not to mention our own planting and our 2 young daughters at the time playing in the neighborhood not to mention our back and front yards. A fews or so years later both our daughters got bells palsy same time frame and our neighbor a few doors down. She was left with damage to her face and one of our daughters still has some issues from it. We lived in that house 14 years.Also one of our neigbors on the same block was diagnosed with tyroid cancer. And thats only what I have knowledge of. I am sure there were more. It was only way later on during our residency in the house that we found out about Rocketdyne. After we moved out of Ca. I was diagnosed with primary hyper parathroidism. And the Dr said I have had it for many years. I went to 2 Drs where I live and one of the first questions was have you ever been exposed to lots of radiation? It is a travesty that people still today and previously are still suffering from this testing site. And for a big well known Builder not to disclose this to all the families that bought in there is an absolute tragedy. I am almost 63 years old and only wish I had known this before we purchased in there. So many of us did not know the extent or enough about it. Its a shame for all the people whos lives have been affected even then and years later.