With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting everyday life, Gateway to Hope's mission is more critical than ever. Thousands of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Missouri this year and are facing financial hardship and increased barriers to care. As we adapt to these unprecedented circumstances, we continue to serve breast cancer patients across Missouri and Southern Illinois who need us the most. However, to ensure our community's safety and ourselves, we've had to cancel all in-person fundraising events. Last year, the Gala for Hope raised over $400,000 in critical, life-saving funds for women in our community facing breast cancer. Your support made that success possible, and as a result, Gateway to Hope served a record number 411 women in 2019.

Every day in our state, 16 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. That's 6,000 women every year. Before the crisis, more than half of these women would face crippling financial decisions like whether they should skip an appointment or forego medication because it is too expensive to keep up with treatment costs and pay for life's necessities like food, housing, and the needs of their family. In today's world, we know this number is much higher. We must provide the support these women deserve to access the healthcare they need to survive and thrive beyond their diagnosis.

In lieu of the Gala for Hope, we are hosting a Campaign for Hope and we hope you will support us by making a contribution, or even setting up your own fundraising campaign to draw even more supporters on this journey with us, helping lead the charge as Gateway to Hope impacts hundreds of women's lives in these challenging times. The campaign also features an online silent auction, which may be found here .

The campaign will officially kickoff Thursday, October 1 the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It will last until October 17, the weekend when Gateway to Hope was scheduled to host our Annual Gala for Hope. Please join us in this campaign.