Suzette Allinger, 56, remembers the day in July of 2008 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Allinger, of the Creve Coeur area, had gone to see Dr. Alan Londe, a general surgeon, after she’d had severe breast pain. His diagnosis of cancer couldn’t have come at a worst time.

Allinger, whose husband of 20 years, Justin, had been laid off from retail management the year before. They had no private health insurance.

But with a part-time job in the cosmetics field, she couldn’t qualify for Missouri Health Net, Medicaid or other government programs.

“As I was crying a bucket of tears, Dr. Londe told me to take a deep breath and talk to Gateway to Hope,” she said.

That suggestion changed her life.

Londe is one of many doctors and other medical providers who donate services and products to the non-profit Gateway to Hope.

Based in Creve Coeur, the organization arranges no-cost comprehensive medical care for breast cancer patients who lack sufficient financial resources or insurance, but are ineligible for assistance through state and federal programs.

It was founded in 2005 by Dr. David Caplin, of Frontenac, a plastic/reconstructive surgeon, and Dr. Marlys Schuh of Creve Coeur, an oncology breast surgeon.

Caplin recalls a patient who was the catalyst for establishing the organization.

“This young woman was the sole breadwinner for her kids and disabled husband. She made enough so she wasn’t qualified for Medicaid but couldn’t afford insurance,” he said…. (more…)