Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives $50,000 in ARPA Funds from the City of Scranton 

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) wellness grant from the City of Scranton.  

Funds will support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. The Navigation Program is a cancer screening initiative focused on education, barrier reduction and facilitation of screenings for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer targeting low income un/underinsured residents of the City of Scranton and surrounding areas, while connecting or reconnecting all participants to a medical home to ensure ongoing preventative care. 

“Cancer screening rates plummeted during initial Covid-related shutdowns and continue to fluctuate and remain below pre-pandemic levels. Covid-19 also exacerbated existing inequalities in cancer screenings that disproportionately affect certain segments of the population. Funds from this grant will provide critical support towards efforts to close screening gaps and assist those in need ready access to potentially life-saving cancer screenings,” said, Laura Toole, Executive Vice President at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.  

This funding was awarded as part of the City of Scranton’s open applications for community wellness programs for a targeted population, in the targeted neighborhoods in City of Scranton (within the Qualified Census Tract).  

About the Northeast Regional Cancer InstituteEstablished in 1991, the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a community-based nonprofit organization working to Ease the Burden of Cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. Focusing on cancer surveillance, community and patient services, and hospital and practice support services, the Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources locally.  

About The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Of 2021 

ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill. The City of Scranton was awarded $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The mission of Scranton’s ARPA program is to give people access to resources, rebuild the infrastructure systems that impact their everyday lives, and foster equitable wealth generation that targets the needs of Scranton residents. More information about Scranton’s ARPA plan is online at scrantonpa.gov/arpa