FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
Vice Chair Foley Calls on State to Expedite Review of Reported Ladera Ranch Ewing Sarcoma Cases
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Today, Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley sent a letter to California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan calling on the state to expedite its review of reported Ewing sarcoma cases in Ladera Ranch and provide residents with timely, transparent updates. Ladera Ranch families have reported six children diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, an exceptionally rare cancer that most often affects children and young adults. The number of reported diagnoses in a community of approximately 26,000 residents has raised serious concerns among families and residents.
“Ladera Ranch families deserve answers, transparency, and urgency from the state,” said Vice Chair Foley. “We do not yet know what caused these cancers, but that uncertainty demands a comprehensive review of every credible factor, including possible environmental exposures, along with direct communication and the public release of the findings.”
In 2024, the OC Health Care Agency asked the California Cancer Registry to evaluate similar concerns in Ladera Ranch. The Registry found no discernible pattern of cases at that time. Following renewed concerns from residents, the Health Care Agency asked the Registry, UCI Cancer Center and the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner to revisit the issue. That updated assessment remains underway.
The California Cancer Registry operates as a program of the California Department of Public Health and serves as the state’s official population-based cancer surveillance system. California law assigns the Department responsibility for collecting cancer-incidence data and conducting epidemiological assessments of suspected cancer concerns.
We do not yet know what caused these cancers, but many Ladera Ranch residents have raised concerns about herbicide use in their community. Vice Chair Foley has championed efforts to phase out harmful herbicides on County property and expand safer vegetation-management practices. OC Public Works now uses steam instead of herbicides to control weeds along residential streets in Ladera Ranch. Most routine landscaping and common-area maintenance falls under the Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation, the community’s master homeowners association, and Foley has called on LARMAC to move toward safer, non-toxic practices as it reviews its maintenance policies.
To inquire about Supervisor Foley's media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at 714-559-8364.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Urban Counties Caucus
