2026 LOVE OF LIFE CAMPAIGN KICKED OFF THURSDAY NIGHT

Thursday night was the kickoff for the 2026 Love of Life campaign to benefit IRMC’s Comprehensive Breast Center.

This year marks the 22nd campaign to raise funds to help ensure the hospital has the latest technology available to diagnose and treat breast cancer.  The money raised this year will be part of a multi-year effort to purchase a new 3D mammography machine for the center.  IRMC Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Heather Reed talked about the importance of these machines.

The keynote speakers were cancer survivor Karen Krejocic and her daughter Celeste Keefe.  Krejocic said she initially felt her story was not as important as others.

Keefe talked about the importance of getting screened early.

Also during the kickoff event at the home of Christine Toretti, it was announced that Dr. Nazneen Billamoria will become the new director of the IRMC Comprehensive Breast Center.  She said it was a great honor to be named the new leader.

The next major fundraiser for the Love of Life campaign is the annual 5k run on October 17th at 9 AM in Downtown Indiana.  If you want to enter the run, you can register at www.loveoflife5k.com.  To donate directly to the campaign, you can go to www.irmc.org/foundation/ways-to-give or call 724-357-8053.

(From L to R: IRMC Healthcare foundation chairman Joe Reschini, IRMC/PMCN Board of Directors Vice Chair Laurie Kuzneski, IRMC Comprehensive Breast Center Director Dr. Nazneen Billamoria, keynote speakers Karen Krejocic and Celeste Keefe, IRMC Healthcare Foundation executive director Heather Reed, IRMC Medical Staff President and Mountains Health Care System Oncology Service Line Chair Dr. Dan Clark, Dr. Margaret Clark and IRMC President and CEO Steve Wolfe.  Photo by Josh Widdowson)