Plane Crashes — Important Researchers Are Lost.

A Tragic Plane Crash in Brazil: Did We Lose Voices Who Could Have Advanced Cancer Research?

On August 9, 2024, a Voepass Linhas Aéreas ATR-72 turboprop crashed in Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil, claiming the lives of all 62 people onboard. Among them were eight medical professionals, including two oncology residents, heading to a cancer conference. This heartbreaking loss has prompted questions about the impact on cancer care and research, particularly whether these individuals might have been exploring critical topics like potential links between mRNA vaccines and cancer progression. While no evidence confirms they were investigating such connections, their deaths raise a vital question: Could their expertise have contributed to uncovering new insights in this complex and debated area?

The Crash: What Happened

The Voepass flight, traveling from Cascavel, Paraná, to São Paulo’s Guarulhos airport, crashed in a residential area after a “flat spin” descent, leaving no survivors. Brazil’s aviation authority, CENIPA, is investigating the cause, with no official conclusions yet. Early reports point to possible mechanical issues or pilot error, but the investigation is ongoing. The tragedy shocked Brazil, with footage of the plane’s fall widely shared. Source: Associated Press

Among the 62 victims were eight doctors, some traveling to ONConexoes AZ, an ovarian cancer conference hosted by AstraZeneca. Their loss has sparked discussion, especially online, about their work and whether it might have touched on controversial questions about vaccine safety.

Medical Professionals Lost in the Crash

Based on reports from credible sources, including the Paraná Medical Council, Uopeccan Cancer Hospital, and news outlets, the following medical professionals with ties to cancer-related fields or healthcare were among the victims:

• Dr. Arianne Albuquerque Estevan Risso
  Role: Second-year clinical oncology resident at Uopeccan Cancer Hospital, Cascavel.
  Details: Dr. Risso worked daily with cancer patients, managing around 20 cases in the hospital’s outpatient clinic. She was traveling to the ONConexoes AZ conference to deepen her expertise in ovarian cancer.
  Source: Oncology News Central
• Dr. Mariana Comiran Belim
  Role: Third-year clinical oncology resident at Uopeccan Cancer Hospital, Cascavel.
  Details: Dr. Belim was dedicated to oncology, handling a similar patient load as Dr. Risso and attending the same AstraZeneca conference to advance her knowledge.
  Source: Oncology News Central
• Dr. José Roberto Leonel Ferreira
  Role: Radiologist and professor at Unioeste (Universidade do Oeste do Paraná), Cascavel.
  Details: Dr. Ferreira owned an imaging center and taught at Unioeste. His radiology work likely supported cancer diagnostics, a critical part of oncology. He was among the eight doctors confirmed by the Paraná Medical Council.
  Source: PolitiFact
• Other Medical Professionals
  Details: Reports confirm five additional doctors were onboard, including a pediatrician, a physical therapist, and university professors. Their specific roles in cancer care are less clear, but their medical expertise contributed to the region’s healthcare. The Paraná Medical Council and Governor Ratinho Júnior noted their presence, though not all were oncology-focused.
  Sources: The Independent, Daily Mail

Some online claims misidentified victims, such as naming “Dr. Leo Ferreira” as a cancer researcher. In reality, Dr. José Roberto Leonel Ferreira, a radiologist, was among the victims, while Leonardo Ferreira, an immunologist, is alive and unrelated to the crash. Source: PolitiFact

The Question of mRNA Vaccines and Cancer

The crash has been linked to online discussions, particularly in vaccine-skeptic communities, suggesting the doctors were researching connections between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and aggressive cancers. These claims, often tied to the term “turbo cancer,” suggest the doctors were set to present findings at a conference. However, the conference was ONConexoes AZ, focused on ovarian cancer, not vaccines, and no evidence indicates these doctors were studying mRNA vaccines. Source: Lead Stories

Still, the question of vaccine safety and cancer isn’t baseless. Dr. Ryan Cole, a pathologist, has raised concerns about mRNA vaccines potentially causing T-cell suppression, which could theoretically affect immune responses in cancer patients. While his views are controversial and not widely accepted in mainstream medicine, they resonate with those who’ve observed rapid cancer progression post-vaccination. A 2024 study in Cureus reported increased cancer mortality in Japan after mRNA vaccine boosters, particularly for cancers like ovarian and breast, suggesting possible immune or hormonal effects. However, the study shows correlation, not causation, and factors like delayed screenings during the pandemic likely played a role. [Source: Cureus, 2024]

In contrast, large-scale studies, such as one involving 100 million vaccinated people, found no link between mRNA vaccines and cancer. [Source: 2024 Vaccine Safety Study] Yet, the newness of mRNA technology and limited long-term data leave room for questions, especially when anecdotes of rapid cancer progression surface.

Could These Doctors Have Found a “Smoking Gun”?

The loss of Drs. Risso, Belim, Ferreira, and their colleagues is a profound tragedy for their patients, families, and the medical community. As oncology residents, Risso and Belim were immersed in cutting-edge cancer care, while Ferreira’s radiology work supported critical diagnostics. Their expertise made them part of a field where new discoveries are vital. Could their future work have explored questions about mRNA vaccines and immune effects, as Dr. Cole suggests? It’s possible, though unconfirmed, that they might have encountered such questions in their practice, given the global debate.

Seven other doctors scheduled for the flight took an earlier one and survived, a fact that adds to the tragedy’s weight but doesn’t imply foul play. Source: The Independent Without evidence of their specific research, we can only speculate about their potential contributions. Their deaths highlight the need for continued, transparent research into vaccine safety and cancer dynamics.

Honoring Their Loss with Truth

This tragedy underscores the importance of seeking truth without sensationalism. The confirmed facts—eight doctors, including two oncology residents, died in a crash while heading to a cancer conference—are heartbreaking enough. While no evidence ties them to mRNA vaccine research, their loss is a reminder to keep asking hard questions about cancer, immunity, and medical interventions. We honor their memory by supporting rigorous science to explore concerns like those raised by Dr. Cole, while grounding our inquiries in verified data.

To learn more:

• Follow CENIPA’s investigation for updates on the crash’s cause.
• Connect with Uopeccan Cancer Hospital to understand their oncology research.
• Advocate for studies on long-term vaccine effects, balancing skepticism with evidence.

Let’s remember these professionals for their dedication and keep pushing for answers in their absence.