Contact: Amanda Marchegiani                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community Relations Coordinator                             PHOTO ATTACHED                               

Amanda.marchegiani@cancernepa.org                   June 11, 2026

 (570) 904-8808

SCRANTON, PA – The Spirit of Hope Celebration Board of Ambassadors presented the Cancer Institute with a $37,072 check from their 2025 Spirit of Hope event.

“On behalf of the Ambassadors who truly exhibit the ‘Spirit of Hope’ we are pleased 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 thirteenth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November 2025 at Mohegan Pennsylvania. More than 300 people were in attendance. The event featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction. John “Slick” Baum 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 un/underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.

 About The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a nonprofit community-based agency serving nine counties in northeast Pennsylvania with offices located in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Focusing on surveillance, community and patient services, and hospital and practice support services, the Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources locally.

PHOTO ATTACHED: 2025 Spirit of Hope Celebration

Front row, seated from left to right:
Marta Gomes, Laura Toole, Executive Vice President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Kristie Hynoski, Sonya Eddings, Hon. Tom Munley, Nick Colangelo, Ph.D., Pat Sicilio, and Nevin Gerber.

Second Row, standing from left to right: Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Edward Cosgrove, Brian McQuestion, Matt Beynon, Vanessa Vergnetti Thomas, Robin Long, Maria Donahue,  Leo Vergnetti, Spirit of Hope Board of Ambassadors Chair, Vito Pizzo, and Casey Quinn.

Ambassadors Absent from the Photo: Clarence Baltrusaitis, Tom Blaskiewicz, Jim & Susan Brady, Brigitte Baum, Richard P. Conaboy, 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, 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, Patty Vergnetti, Mary Erwine, Angela Rempe Jones, Tammy Saunders, Dino Campitelli, AAC, Vince Scarpetta, Jim Gorman, Mark Mesko, Bill Davis, Joe Ferguson, and Atty. Charles J. Volpe.

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