Board of Ambassadors Finalize Spirit of Hope Celebration for November 8
Pictured are several Board of Ambassadors. Seated, from left to right: Karen M. Saunders, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Joe Mattioli, Suzanne Jaffe, Amanda E. Marchegiani, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Leo Vergnetti, Board of Ambassadors Chairman, Angela Rempe Jones, Associate Board of Ambassadors Chair, Robin Long, Jessica Kalinoski, Associate Board Co-Chair, Sarah Farrell, and Kristie Hynoski. Standing, from left to right: Patty Vergnetti, Event Chair, Tom DePietro, William Davis, Richard P. Conaboy Jr., Vince Scarpetta, Mark J. Conway,Esq., Patrick Sicilio, Matt Beynon, James T. Gorman and Clarence Baltrusaitis.
The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute and the Board of Ambassadors and Associate Board will host its eighth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration on Friday, November 8, 2019 from 7:00pm to 10:30pm at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Keystone Grand Ballroom.
The event features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, food stations, live music by Paul LaBelle and Tony Vergnetti and dance music from EJ the DJ, a live and silent auction, gift card guarantee, and a lottery ladder. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased by calling the Cancer Institute at (570) 941-7984 or online at www.cancernepa.org or purchased at the door the night of the event.
The Tribute to Courage honoree is York City Firefighter Ryan Robeson. Ryan participated in the 2019 Scranton Half Marathon courageously attempted to set a Guinness world record for running 13.1 miles in approximately 50 pounds of full fire fighter gear; all while breathing from a self-contained breathing apparatus. This daring feat not only astounded his hometown and community, but it also captured the attention, deservingly, of the renowned world news. Ryan did this in hopes to raising awareness and money for two charities, Operation Unite and Foundation 58. Foundation 58 seeks to compensate firefighters, first responders and their families who are struggling with the devastating effects of this disease. Cancer is estimated to affect 60% of firefighters due to an increased risk of exposure to toxins in modern structure fires.
The Board of Ambassadors is a group of individuals and business leaders in northeast Pennsylvania who have come together to raise funds & awareness to fight cancer in the local community through their support and promotion of a gala event.
The Spirit of Hope Celebration benefits 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, and cervical cancer screenings.
About The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a nonprofit community-based agency serving seven 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.
Board of Ambassadors: Patty Vergnetti, Jennifer Heil, Angela Rempe Jones, Associate Board of Ambassadors Chair; Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute; Leo Vergnetti, Board of Ambassadors Chairman; Nevin Gerber, Steven J. Szydlowski, Ph.D., Matt Beynon, Clarence Baltrusaitis, Tom Blaskewicz, Nicholas Colangelo, Ph.D., Richard P. Conaboy Jr., Thomas P. Cummings, Jr., Esq., Thomas P. Cummings III, Esq.; William Davis, Tom DePietro, Mary Erwine, Greg and Meghan Gagorik, James T. Gorman, John Heil, Suzanne Jaffe, Charles C. Jefferson, Joe Mattioli, William Rinaldi, Chuck Morgan, Philip Medico, David J. Nape, Eugene D. Sperazza, Esq., Kristie Hynoski, Paul McGloin, Joe G. Ferguson, Esq., John P. Rodgers, Esq., P. Richard Scheller, Vince Scarpetta, Patrick Sicilio, Brian McQuestion, U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, Mark J. Conway,Esq., Melissa Stites, Jim Brady, Susan Brady, Christopher A. Peters, M.D, Evie Rafalko McNulty, Joseph Tomko, and Joe Van Wie.
Associate Board Members: Jessica Kalinoski, Associate Board Co-Chair, Jo Ann Romano Hallesky, Robin Long, Chris Lynch, Traci Fosnot, Sarah Farrell, and Amanda E. Marchegiani.