Bruce Young made people listen

COMMENTS MADE AT THE CIVIL ACTION FORUM HELD AT THE TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH MARCH 9, 1999

By Anne Anderson

Those of you who have attended each meeting I expect have learned things you didn't know before. Tonight, I want to try to separate the fiction of what's surrounding the movie from what really happened.

Some of you know much of my story because you were a part of it. For those of you that don't, it began January 1972 when my youngest child Jimmy was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 3 years old. So long ago and yet so incredibly vivid in my mind.

When he was discharged from the hospital, my friend and neighbor, Kay Bolster, came to my home to visit. In an effort to try to help me get through all that we were facing, she told me about two other children living close by who also had leukemia. When I had the time to think about what she had said, I began to ponder about this little pocket of a rare disease, and rather than deriving the comfort that Kay intended, I found it unsettling. And, the more I thought about it, the more disturbing it became. I started to wonder outloud but it was clear that no one else thought there was reason for concern, no one except my mother and my life long friend, Carol Gray who also lived in East Woburn. While they gave me a chance to talk about it and offer me their support, it was just us against the others who insisted that it was only a coincidence, three children who lived close to each other just happened to have the same disease.

A year later another child was diagnosed and I was angry that it had happened again. There simply had to be a reason and because the water had been so poor in our neighborhood, and it and air were all we shared, it was pretty clear to the three of us that the water was causing our problem. I started to obsess over it. I talked and talked _ to my husband, my friends, my doctor and nurses at the hospital but no one really wanted to listen and believe. And, because I was a mother who seemed to be looking for a reason that wasn't there, I was dismissed. When I questioned if any records of incidence were being kept, I was told that they made a point of not emphasizing numbers and localities of cancer cases because at that time, there were still people who thought it was a communicable disease. Meanwhile, more children were becoming sick and I began to keep information on everyone I heard of but it wasn't until the wells were closed in 1979 that there seemed to be some credibility to a connection between the sick children and the water.

But now, I would like to address some of the inaccuracies that have been troubling me. While I feel the book was very well written, I didn't think Jimmy or I were depicted fairly or factually and I found that to be hurtful and embarrassing. Most people realize that there were liberties taken with the movie and that's pretty much expected. However, when I hear false statements from people who know better, I have to assume it's to enhance their own importance in this issue and that's just plain unfair.

It has been stated that the parents came knocking at Jan Schlichtmann's door. The reality is that Donna Robbins who was pursuing a different medical malpractice suit was being represented by Atty. Joe Mulligan from Boston. He asked if there was any thought of the parents getting together to look into a possible lawsuit. It was something that had been talked about and so Joe came to meet with Bruce, Donna and I and after some discussion, we thought it was something we should at least consider. I, in turn, called each family on our list and although some did not wish to become involved, at that time six families agreed to proceed. Joe Mulligan turned the case over to Jan Schlichtmann who was an associate. Jan also lost interest and had called a meeting, we thought to ease himself off the case. The afternoon of that meeting, Bruce Young had received a conference call from Tony Roisman of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice of Washington, D.C. and Kathi Anderson from Senator Kennedy's office. We were meeting in this very hall. Bruce sat at the table with us and Jan was obviously uncomfortable as he launched into how costly the case was, how long it would take and that he just didn't have the resources that this litigation required. At that point, Bruce interrupted him to relate his earlier conversation with Roisman. It was like a shot of adrenaline, you could see the excitement in Jan because it meant that he was getting help, both hands-on and financial. It wasn't as Jan has said, that he looked into our eyes and couldn't say, "No."

It has been said that the parents went to the EPA. The truth is that the EPA was here in 1979 and indeed when Jimmy died, Rick Leighton, our EPA site coordinator, went to Jimmy's service, a full year and a half before the suit was even filed and still much longer before any testing was ordered by our lawyers. In fact, a lot of information and testing results were given to us by the EPA.

And, it's not true that the parents went to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). What really happened is that after our meeting asking for information on leukemia cases, Bruce and I matched the addresses to the map. I had been keeping my own records and actually was able to supply the names of families who didn't attend the meeting and the very next day we plotted the map. Bruce took that map to Dr. John Truman at Mass. General Hospital and Dr. Truman in turn, right then, called the CDC.

I have heard it said that the parents knocked at the doors of Harvard. What really happened, is that in 1981, just a very short time after Jimmy died, Dr. Larry Brown from the Harvard School of Public Health invited Bruce and I to give a presentation. In the audience were Dr. Marvin Zelen and Dr. Stephen Lagakos who were also affiliated with Dana Farber. Before we left, they spoke to us about how sorry they were for the treatment we had received from the agencies and offered to help us_what followed, after many, many more meetings was the Harvard Health Study.

I was a part of the litigation. It was very difficult for everyone. There were many weeks when every family member was subjected to a battery of physical and psychological testing ordered by each law firm involved and we were on call constantly to do and be whatever was asked. There were many demands on all of us, it was never easy and I'm proud to have been a part of it. From the trial, Jonathan Harr's book was written and from the book the movie was made. I feel it is a compelling story and the fact that the events of Woburn, no matter what the focus, are being brought to the people's attention once again, has great value. It has given courage and new vigor to many who think they have a similar problem. I am thankful that John Riley, Beatrice, W.R. Grace and the failings of the attorneys and judge are being told. The book and film have achieved what the litigation could not. They have shown that corporate America has caused sickness and death with little regard beyond the cost of defending themselves without conscience and never having to admit culpability. It demonstrated the way the judicial system and those involved in it, played it out like a complex game, forgetting about the children or justice.

As proud as I am of what we plaintiffs were able to accomplish, I consider my greatest achievement was my part in bringing this issue to the courts. Some would say I'm stubborn, others soften it by calling it determination but it seemed clear to me that Jimmy and the other children were sick, suffering and dying because of where they lived and that was simply unacceptable. There were times when I wanted to believe what so many were saying, that there was no association because it would have been easier to accept, if there wasn't it an outside influence causing it to happen.

For the past few years, there seem to be deliberate efforts to re-invent history. I simply don't want all the hard work and commitment of a handful of people to be forgotten or overshadowed by the litigation and the courtroom drama. It would take too much time to detail even some of it but I can tell you, there were countless hours spent in meetings with environmentalists, scientists, epidemiologists, hydrogeologists, political officials_classes, seminars, conferences_discussing, learning, teaching, helping, testifying, interviews, and on and on.

Jimmy was sick for nine years, so sick that he spent most of his life at home or in the hospital. He taught me courage and gave me the strength to fight in his behalf. To this day, I do not understand why, if there was even a chance that there was something causing the suffering and loss of life of little children, how city officials could react at they did. They were not just unresponsive but totally insensitive. Doors were closed _ they insulted, belittled and ridiculed anyone who dared to question. I was accused of being an hysterical mother _ I never was, not on the outside. But inside, I screamed for understanding. It was a dark time, as neighbors turned away from an outsider saying something negative about their town _ state and local officials denying anything to ensure a favorable climate for industry, and citizens who were concerned about property values and little else.

It was only when Bruce Young took this issue on as his personal crusade, that positive things finally happen. His position in the community demanded that he be treated with respect. People who mattered, listened _ questions were raised, research started, committees were set up and the work began. It was through his deep commitment to the children of Woburn and his sacrifice for them that prompted others to join in our efforts and I will never forget their support and dedication. Recently, I have been troubled that they who worked so hard in the beginning have been overlooked, for there could not have been a book or the movie or the civil action itself _ not without the early struggle of those very special people.

Last week some were touched when Bruce spoke of God's intervention working for us. Indeed, through the years we were aware that people appeared, the phone rang, problems were solved and paths were cleared and we would take these as God's sign that he was with us and on our side for there really was to us, no other explanation.

It is fitting that this should come to rest where it all started and the lessons were learned. The diocese has reason to be proud for what this parish has contributed and its good people have made possible.

Many positive things have come from this tragedy. I saw an outpouring of support from this community during the Harvard Health Study. I have immense respect for every panel member who has participated in this series of forums. I have experienced the goodness of people demonstrated over and over again and my dearest friends whose love and encouragement have supported me through the years are here in Woburn.

My Jimmy suffered so very much and was taken from us far too soon. But I now have the comfort of knowing that his cause lives on. People have been inspired to challenge the unacceptable and the world is a better, safer place because he lived.

I will always be grateful to you, Bruce (Young), you were the catalyst. You forced doors open, made people listen, helped them learn and were always an ever present steady influence that made so much possible.

We are all indebted to you, Bruce, thank you.