A popular young New Jersey middle school principal, Marco F. Cera joined the ranks of 2,500 to 3,000 Americans whose lives are cut short by mesothelioma each year. Cera died Friday at age 39, far younger than most victims of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen caused by exposure to asbestos. Once rare, the incidence of mesothelioma has been increasing in the United States in recent decades.
Cera worked as a social studies teacher at Pompton Lakes High School and later as principal at Franklin Avenue Middle School and then Briarcliff Middle School in Moutnain Lakes, N.J., where he was employed when he died. As news of his death spread, mourners created a memorial in front of the Franklin Avenue Middle school sign, leaving bouquets of flowers and a big white teddy bear with a message thinking of you.
Cera's death is a sad reminder that school teachers are among the occupations at higher risk of developing mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease. Teachers have an occupational risk of exposure to asbestos.
Many older schools contained asbestos floor covering, asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing building materials. Remodeling or renovation activity at the school can stir up the asbestos fibers and put those who inhale them at risk of cancer.
Symptoms of mesothelioma typically take decades to appear. Many people exposed to asbestos in the workplace don't notice symptoms until they are near retirement or retired.
Cera, a highly successful educator, was a graduate of Providence College. He held a master's degree from Montclair State University and was pursuing a doctorate at Seton Hall University. He was an avid reader and historian and had an ability to get students excited about the subjects he was teaching.
Cera was diagnosed with mesothelioma last August and tried to fight the disease. Cera leaves behind his wife of 11 year, Danielle and their two beloved daughters of Boonton, N.J., and his parents Anthony and Corinne Cera of Kinnelon, N.J. According to the death notice in the The Star-Ledger, Cera's family requests that memorial contributions be made in his name to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation of Alexandria, Va.
For more information about mesothelioma, click here.
