NBC Los Angeles has learned that there are about a dozen rare cancer cases in children in Ladera Ranch and other Orange County cities.
In the master-planned community of Ladera Ranch, parents like Jessica Keach believe something is giving their children cancer.
“I think people need to listen and wake up and realize that something is happening to our children,” Keach said. “This is not random.”
She said her 18-year-old daughter, Haven, was diagnosed with a rare cancer called synovial sarcoma and had her right leg amputated. Health experts say this cancer affects about 1,000 people a year in the country.
“I’ll always remember that day,” Keach said. “I cry when I think about it, because it’s the worst day for a parent.”
Megan Mattson, who also lives on Ladera Ranch, lost her son Brody in March to a rare cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma.
“Having three family members contact me as soon as Brody was diagnosed was helpful, but also scary,” Matteson said.
The family does not know the cause of the cancer, but would like to learn more about the types and amounts of pesticides used in their area. Hetty Chan reports on NBC4 News on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Although there is no official causal data linking pesticides to these types of cancers, the Ladera Ranch family is fighting for the community to use non-toxic pesticides.
Dr. Bruce Blumberg, a professor of developmental and cell biology at the University of California, Irvine, believes there is a link between these cancers and pesticides. He said there is data showing a correlation between cancer and pesticide use.
“Unless there is a compelling reason to continue using toxic chemicals, it makes a lot of sense not to use them,” Blumberg said.
In 2016, he joined activists fighting for Irvine to ban non-toxic pesticides and won. Since then, Irvine has made exceptions to the rules regarding open spaces and trails.
“We’re not talking about malaria. Most of the time we’re talking about weeds. I don’t see why we would need to use toxic chemicals to get rid of weeds when weeds can be pulled up or removed with non-toxic methods,” Blumberg said.
Keach and others at Ladera Ranch are pleading with homeowner associations to find safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.
“These are our children. These are our babies,” Keach said. “I raised my children thinking Ladera was safe. Maybe no community is safe, but if it can be better, it needs to be better.”
The Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation met last week and said it is currently forming a committee to review its landscaping practices.
Parents said they felt the Ladera Ranch homeowners association listened to them and came up with a plan of action. Tracy Leung reports on NBC4 News on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
