The Linn County Health Department will be hosting a Coffee Chat with Gateway to Hope on Monday, December 9th from 11-1 at the Health Department.  This will be an open house style event, for people to come and go as they please with some light refreshments.  

 Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with breast cancer in Missouri.  Women in rural areas are 11% more likely to have a late-stage cancer diagnosis than those in urban areas. There continue to be advancements in breast cancer treatment, however prevention and early detection continue to be the best line of defense against breast cancer. 

Gateway to Hope is a non-profit organization that is championing change by removing barriers to affordable, timely, quality breast healthcare, and empowering people to live full and healthy lives.  They serve our community through their treatment navigation program and their screening navigation program. 

The treatment navigation program serves individuals in Missouri and Illinois who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, are actively undergoing treatment and meet financial eligibility (at or below 4.5 times the federal poverty rate).  

Their screening navigation program works to increase awareness about breast cancer education and screening throughout Missouri.  Services are free and include: an experienced navigator, emotional support, insurance enrollment help (insurance is not required to participate), and financial assistance that can help cover the cost of transportation and getting screened. Learn more at mobreasthealth.org