Every 90 minutes, a woman in Missouri is diagnosed with breast cancer.
A woman like Natalie, a soft-spoken paralegal with dreams of finding a partner and starting a family. Before turning forty, she had already battled Stage IV breast cancer. And at a routine oncology appointment last year, she learned that the cancer had returned — and spread to her spine, liver, and ribs.
Chemotherapy and bone infusions left her in pain and unable to work. But her greatest struggle was emotional: she no longer felt like the family “helper” and mourned her old life and the dreams she feared were now out of reach.
When Natalie reached out to Gateway to Hope for financial assistance, her Patient Navigator, Heather, stepped in. Heather helped cover Natalie’s car insurance so she could travel safely to and from treatment. And together, they built a personalized care plan to support Natalie’s emotional wellbeing.
Heather introduced Natalie to a support group for younger patients like her, connected her to organizations that could ease the burden of treatment, and scheduled regular check-ins to ensure Natalie had the resources she needed to adapt, reclaim her sense of purpose, and feel less alone.
Now, a year later, Natalie still meets with Heather to review her needs and goals — keeping her in the driver’s seat of her own care. Recently, Natalie shared her gratitude for her “new” life, including a joyful milestone: she is engaged to be married.
Gateway to Hope is the only statewide, community-based breast health organization providing both financial assistance and comprehensive care coordination. Each year, we help thousands of women access the holistic, personalized care they deserve.
This work is only possible with your support.
When you donate to Gateway to Hope, you directly support the people we serve — ensuring no one has to choose between caring for their emotional wellbeing and receiving life‑saving breast healthcare.
Every dollar truly makes a difference.
