Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Releases Latest Report on Cancer

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a community-based nonprofit organization, is pleased to present this
report on cancer incidence and mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania. For over 30 years, the Cancer Institute
has worked to ease the burden of cancer by focusing on the areas of community & patient services and
survivorship. The Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources in this region.

The Cancer Surveillance Program at the Cancer Institute compiled this report using data from the
organization’s Regional Cancer Registry, the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research of the Pennsylvania
Department of Health, and the National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)
Program. This report describes cancer incidence and mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania relative to the
United States for the 23 most common cancer sites. For the purpose of this report, Northeastern Pennsylvania is
defined as the six counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming. Data from the
SEER program were taken as representative of incidence and mortality rates for the United States as a whole.

In April 2023, the SEER Program reported effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on cancer incidence statistics for
the year 2020. Reported incidence was down in April and May but returned to pre-Covid levels by June 2020.
As a result, reported cancer incidence rates for 2020 were lower than expected based on 2019 and earlier
data. The deficit in incidence varied by cancer site, but for all sites combined was approximately 9.3%. An
examination of cancer incidence data for Northeastern Pennsylvania showed a similar drop in cancer cases
reported in April and May of 2020, resulting in a 6.3% decrease in incidence for the year as a whole. Because of
the small difference between SEER and Northeastern Pennsylvania in the covid-related drop in incidence and
the Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) in this report are based on data for a five-year period (2016-2020), any
effects of Covid-19 on the calculated SIRs are expected to be quite small. Consequently, no adjustments were
made to account for the possible effects of Covid-19 on the SIRs presented here.

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute uses these cancer surveillance data to focus the organization’s
community and patient services to have the greatest possible impact. Similarly, they hope that the information
contained in this report is helpful in support of patients at risk of or diagnosed with cancer and their
loved ones.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Received Donation from Local Township

The Plains Township Police Department collaborated with Futuristic Innovative Graphics in Wilkes-Barre to specially design t-shirts as a breast cancer awareness sale in October 2023. They raised $691.20 to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local organization focused on easing the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania. It was important to the organizers to keep the proceeds local. This year marks their fourth year of this event.

Community members were able to purchase t-shirts online through Futuristic Innovative Graphics website. It was promoted on social media through the police department, graphics company and the Cancer Institute’s designated pages. The Plains Township Police Department plan to host this fundraiser again in fall 2024.  

Northeast Title and Tag Raise $1,400 to Benefit Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

Northeast Title and Tag hosted an October fundraiser to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI). Staff members created a breast cancer t-shirt and employees from their nine locations in our region were able to purchase them. Through their efforts, they raised $1,400 to help ease the burden of cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. All funds will stay local and support NRCI’s community programming and services. Their donation was made In Memory of Molly Gurick, a friend of one of their staff members who recently passed away from breast cancer.

From left to right: Mickalya Wells, Assistant General Manager, Mary Ramsey, Human Resources, Aurleigh Smith, General Manager, Dawn Walsh (Molly Gurick’s Best Friend) Customer Service Representative, Maria Thompson, Owner, and Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. Photo credit: Maggie Amico 

Northeast Regional Cancer Institue Receives $3,498 from Restaurant Chain

Texas Roadhouse in Dickson City hosted an October fundraiser to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI). Restaurant guests were able to round up their checks or receive a free appetizer with a minimum of a $5 donation. Through their efforts, they raised $3,498.22 to help ease the burden of cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. All funds will stay local and support NRCI’s community programming and services.

Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards Grant to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a $10,000 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.   

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 while connecting or reconnecting all participants to a medical home to ensure ongoing preventative care. This initiative is dependent on a customized software program, an upgrade of which is required to more efficiently manage program work.  

“NRCI is extremely appreciative of this funding support from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. These upgrades will allow for program growth, increase the number of people screened for cancer, and help save lives through early detection, “said Laura Toole, Executive Vice President at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.  

This funding was awarded as part of the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Spring Community Needs Grant Cycle.  

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Announces 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute and its Board of Ambassadors will honor Dr. Christopher A. Peters as the 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 10, 2023, at Mohegan Pennsylvania.  

Dr. Christopher A. Peters is a partner in Radiation Medicine Associates of Scranton (RAMAS). He is medical director of Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) as well as its director of clinical research. In 2012, Dr. Peters joined the Board of Directors of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) and served as Board Chairman in 2017 and 2018. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Peters has served as the physician Co-Chair, Health Care Division, for the Annual United Way Lackawanna and Wayne County Annual Campaign from 2012 to 2022. He was elected President of the Lackawanna County Medical Society in 2016. 

Dr. Peters is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. After completing an internship in Internal Medicine at Case Western Reserve Metrohealth, he performed his Radiation Oncology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. Dr. Peters lives in Clarks Summit with his wife Jennifer, and their children Rose, Kate, and Gavin.

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 Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.  

For more information about the upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration, please call the Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or visit www.spiritofhopecelebration.org.  

2023 Spirit of Hope Board of Ambassadors – Seated, from left to right: JoAnn Romano Hallesky, Marta Gomes, Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Board of Ambassadors, Meghan Gagorik, Kristie Hynoski, Traci Fosnot, and Robin Long. Standing, from left to right: Joe Ferguson, Matt Beynon, John Heil, Vince Scarpetta, Dino Campitelli, Sonya Eddings, William Davis, Ed Cosgrove, Vito Pizzo, Nevin Gerber, and Steven J. Szydlowski, Ph.D. 

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives $45,000 in ARPA Funds

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a $45,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) nonprofit recovery grant from the City of Scranton to support the Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. 

Funds will be used for software upgrades to streamline Navigation Program operations and enhance data security.  

“NRCI is extremely appreciative of this funding support from the City of Scranton. These upgrades will allow for program growth, increase the number of people screened for cancer, and help save lives through early detection”, according to 

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 nonprofit organizations. 

NRCI Announces 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree for Spirit of Hope Celebration

The Board of Ambassadors will honor Dr. Christopher A. Peters as the 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 10, 2023, at Mohegan Pennsylvania.  

Dr. Christopher A. Peters is a Radiation Medicine Associates of Scranton (RAMAS) partner. He is the medical director of Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) and its director of clinical research. In 2012, Dr. Peters joined the Board of Directors of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) and served as Board Chairman in 2017 and 2018. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Peters has served as the physician Co-Chair of, the Health Care Division, for the Annual United Way Lackawanna and Wayne County Annual Campaign from 2012 to 2022. He was elected President of the Lackawanna County Medical Society in 2016. 

Dr. Peters graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. After completing an internship in Internal Medicine at Case Western Reserve MetroHealth, he performed his Radiation Oncology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. 

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 Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.  

For more information about the upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration, please call the Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or visit www.spiritofhopecelebration.org.