The Spirit of Hope Celebration Board of Ambassadors presented the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute with a $37,072 check from the 2025 Spirit of Hope event. The Board of Ambassadors, a group of community volunteers, hosted the 13th annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November at Mohegan Pennsylvania. More than 300 people were in attendance. 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 underinsured individuals in Northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical and lung cancer screenings. From left, seated: Marta Gomes; Laura Toole, executive vice president, NRCI; Kristie Hynoski, Sonya Eddings, Judge Tom Munley, Nick Colangelo, Ph.D., Pat Sicilio and Nevin Gerber. Standing: Karen M. Saunders, president, NRCI; Amanda E. Marchegiani, community relations coordinator, NRCI; 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. The 2026 Spirit of Hope Celebration will take place Nov. 6 at Mohegan Pennsylvania. For details, visit www.spiritofhopecelebration.org.
