The Northeast Regional Cancer Institutes Benefits from Spirit of Hope Event Fundraiser The Spirit of Hope Celebration Board of Ambassadors presented the Cancer Institute with a $48,540 check from their 2024 Spirit of Hope event. “On behalf of the Ambassadors who truly exhibit the ‘Spirit of Hope’ we are thrilled to present you with these funds to help individuals receive early detection and free screenings,” said Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Board of Ambassadors. The Board of Ambassadors, a group of community volunteers, hosted the twelfth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November 2024 at Mohegan Pennsylvania. More than 300 people were in attendance. The event featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction. Peter A. Danchak was the Tribute to Courage Honoree. Proceeds from the event benefited the Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps low income and underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings. The 2025 Spirit of Hope Celebration will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Mohegan Pennsylvania. More details can be found at www.spiritofhopecelebration.org. 2024 Spirit of Hope Celebration Front row, seated from left to right: Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Maria Donahue, Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Leo Vergnetti, Spirit of Hope Board of Ambassadors Chair, Laura Toole, Executive Vice President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Vanessa Vergnetti Thomas, Robin Long and Hon. Tom Munley. Second row, standing from left to right: Casey Quinn, Angela Rempe Jones, Tammy Saunders, Marta Gomes, Dino Campitelli, AAC, Vito Pizzo, Vince Scarpetta, Nevin Gerber, Kristie Hynoski, Jim Gorman, Mark Mesko, Bill Davis, Matt Beynon, Joe Ferguson, Nick Colangelo. Ph.D., and Pat Sicilio. Ambassadors Absent from the Photo: Clarence Baltrusaitis, Tom Blaskiewicz, Jim & Susan Brady, Brigitte Baum, Richard P. Conaboy, Edward Cosgrove, Tom DePietro, PharmD, Traci Fosnot, Greg Gagorik, Meghan Gagorik, JoAnn Romano Hallesky, John Heil, Jennifer Heil, Charles C. Jefferson, John Mack, Linda Marino-Brooks, Joe Mattioli, IV, Brian McQuestion, Philip Medico, Dan Meuser, Dana D’Angelo Morris, David Nape, Christopher Peters, MD, William F. Rinaldi, John P. Rodgers, Esq., P. Richard Scheller, Frank Sepko, Dr. Steven J. Syzdlowski, Joe Van Wie, Tony Vergnetti, Sonya Eddings, Patty Vergnetti, Mary Erwine, and Atty. Charles J. Volpe.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Releases Latest Local Cancer Surveillance Report The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local community-based nonprofit organization, has released the latest report on cancer, “Cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Incidence and Mortality for Common Cancers”. The report is available at: http://cancernepa.org/ This unique, locally focused report was compiled by Cancer Institute Vice President of Cancer Surveillance, Karen Ryczak, RN and Medical Director, Samuel Lesko, MD, MPH. The report documents that both incidence and mortality rates for cancer remain significantly higher in NEPA than the U.S. It also identifies those specific cancer sites for which there is a disparity in either incidence or mortality. In NEPA, we continue to see statistically significantly higher incidence rates for cancer of the lung, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, urinary bladder, pancreas, thyroid, cervix, and uterus compared to the U.S. Evidence based screenings are available for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer that can reduce deaths from these cancers and in the case of cervical and colon cancer, may prevent cancers from developing. Primary care providers are well suited to advise individuals on what screenings are appropriate based on age, gender, personal and family history, risk factors and eligibility criteria for screenings. The goal in sharing these data is to raise awareness across the community and to promote collaborative efforts to reduce the risk of select cancers through healthy lifestyle choices and adherence to proper screening guidelines. The report offers important insight for Northeastern Pennsylvania residents, health professionals, and government leaders. For additional information or if you would like a hard copy of the full report, please feel free to contact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or admin@cancernepa.org.
The Board of Ambassadors Announce 2022 Tribute to Courage Honoree for Spirit of Hope Celebration The Board of Ambassadors will honor Bob Durkin as the 2022 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 11, 2022, at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Bob is President and CEO of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, overseeing planning, finances, staffing and programing of the Chamber and its affiliates – Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company, Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises, MetroAction, Inc., Leadership Lackawanna, Skills in Scranton, and The Scranton Plan. He previously served as President of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute; founding Director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority; Vice-President of the Chamber; and has worked in various capacities in the non-profit and regional government arenas. Bob is a 1981 graduate of Penn State University and undertook advanced studies at the PSU Institute for Public Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Delaware. He and his family are active in several special needs related programs, including Challenger Baseball and Special Olympics. Bob resides in his native Olyphant with his wife Sherry. They are the parents of a daughter (Jessica) and son (Kevin).
