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Writer's pictureTonyehn Verkitus

2021 Year in Review

Updated: Apr 8, 2022

As we wrap up 2021 and my first year as executive director, I find myself proud of all that our team has accomplished, the path we are charting as an organization and the initiatives we’ve put in place to continue to improve the health of all Pennsylvanians. Through a year of constant change and readjusting every aspect of our lives – health, school, work and travel – we’ve all learned to compromise and live with the unknown. That is why I am beyond grateful for every email, phone call and conversation I’ve had with YOU, our supporters. Your belief in our mission makes what we do so much more rewarding.


During the past year PSR PA has worked with community groups and impacted residents that are concerned over the increase of Ewing Sarcoma and other rare cancers in southwestern PA. Pressure from our coalition has led Governor Wolf and the Department of Health to launch a pair of studies to explore the health impacts of the unconventional shale oil and gas industry. Since then, we have worked to hold the administration accountable to this promise, to ensure the studies include the impact of radioactive waste streams, and to make sure frontline communities have a direct line of communication with the Department of Health.


PSR PA is also working with researchers from Wayne State University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to assess radiation exposure to communities in proximity to the unconventional oil and gas development industry. We collected air, water, and soil samples from across the state, and presented our findings in a virtual conference, "Cradle to Grave: The Reverberating Health Hazards of Oil and Gas Industry" on December 10th which you can view here.


Through CodeRed PA, health professionals across Pennsylvania are developing effective approaches to reduce gun violence, and prevent injuries from and mitigate the long-term and collateral consequences of gun violence. To stop violence before it happens, Peaceful Posse continues to host weekly meetings for young men where they learn leadership, resiliency and conflict resolution. This group has been meeting for over 15 years and our goal is to expand the program to other school districts in Philadelphia and across the state.


Last, PSR PA’s monthly webinar series has brought engaging speakers to share their research and expertise. Experts have spoken about and responded to your questions on topics such as indoor air quality, radon, plastics, climate and asthma, and more. We will continue the series as a Friday Lunch and Learn in 2022 and stay tuned for an exciting new addition to the series that I’m tentatively calling Film Club.


We appreciate your past participation and today we ask you to support our continuing work on issues we know are near and dear to your heart. Please make a donation today. All gifts are tax deductible.


Here are examples of the difference that your gift can make to our mission:

$25 buys dinner for 4 Peaceful Posse participants.

$50 covers the cost of gas for a one way trip to the Marcellus Shale region to meet with frontline communities.

$100 helps us organize and host virtual town hall meetings for communities impacted by unconventional gas development.

$250 covers the cost of a van for researchers to collect air, water and soil samples from sites to be assessed for radiation.




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