CASUAL Day planned for March 27th to raise awareness for colorectal cancer

Toyota of Scranton has committed to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute as a $1,000 Circle of Faith sponsor for the 22nd annual CASUAL (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day to be held Thursday, March 27.

This is a dress down day to raise awareness for colorectal cancer in Northeast Pennsylvania.  On this day, participants dress casual while wearing specially designed socks, hats and t-shirts.

Shown from left: Patrick Rogers, CFO, Toyota of Scranton, presents a $1,000 check to Karen M. Saunders, president of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.                                                                                            

Chair named for 21st annual CASUAL Day

Alessandro Smeraldi, MD, was recently named chair for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s 21st Annual CASUAL (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day.   

CASUAL Day, set for Thursday, March 28, is a dress-down day to raise awareness for colorectal cancer in Northeast Pennsylvania.  On this day, participants dress casually while wearing specially-designed socks, hats, and/or t-shirts. 

The focus of this awareness campaign is to have a casual conversation about colon cancer. All proceeds from the event stay in NEPA and go towards the Cancer Institute efforts to raise awareness and support to support colorectal cancer prevention, early detection education and screenings.   

Alessandro Smeraldi, MD is a board-certified vascular surgeon. He provides care for women and men who need a wide range of vascular procedures. Dr. Smeraldi earned his medical degree from The Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University in New York, followed by a general surgery residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ, and a vascular surgery fellowship at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. 

Dr. Smeraldi is an active member of the Society for Vascular Surgery and Society for Vascular Ultrasound. He is proud to serve his community and values the interaction he has with those in his care. Additionally, he serves as a clinical professor of surgery and resident mentor at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton. 

Dr. Smeraldi draws daily strength from his wife, Gail, and their children Hayley and Caleb. 

cancer prevention, early detection education and screenings.   

For more information about CASUAL Day and how you can participate, please call the Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or visit www.cancernepa.org.   

Lackawanna Commissioners Recognize C.A.S.U.A.L Day

Casual Day Proclamation Pix

The Lackawanna County Commissioners issued a proclamation to recognize the impact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s (NRCI) 16th annual C.A.S.U.A.L Day has on the fight against colon cancer in our region.

Established by the family of the late Helen Phillips, the event urges residents to get screened for early detection of colon cancer and also highlights the medical breakthroughs that have saved lives.

Shown from left:  Commissioner Jerry Notarianni, Karen Saunders, NRCI’s President; Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley, and Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings.