Asking reasonable questions. Requesting reasonable changes.
What's happening in Ladera Ranch, and what we're doing about it.
Since 2007, Ladera Ranch families have self-reported Ewing sarcoma diagnoses in children, most recently in 2021–2024, along with other cancer cases. We've requested a state registry analysis, filed pesticide-use records requests, and are working with LARMAC on a resident advisory committee.
No cancer cluster has been officially determined in Ladera Ranch. We do not know what caused these cancers, and we do not yet have confirmation that cancer rates here are higher than the rest of California.
What we know
- Self-reported Ewing sarcoma diagnoses in Ladera Ranch children in 2007, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024
- Regular pesticide, herbicide, and rodenticide applications in common areas, per LARMAC notices
- A California Cancer Registry analysis was requested in May 2026; results are pending
What we don't know
- Whether cancer rates in Ladera Ranch exceed state baselines
- What caused any individual case
- Whether any environmental factor is involved
Read the full ledger and timeline on What We Know.
A few ways to help right now
Donate to fund research by USC & UCI for Childhood Cancer & the Environment, with focus on Ladera Ranch
Ladera Health Watch is supporting independent research by USC & UCI focused specifically on childhood cancer and environmental factors in Ladera Ranch. Donations will help researchers investigate potential preventable causes and better understand the health concerns affecting our community. We hope the findings may also help inform future research and prevention efforts across Orange County and in communities nationwide facing similar concerns.
Support Ladera's Cancer Research ↗