Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

EUSTIS | Being diagnosed with one type of cancer is distressing. Being diagnosed with two while without insurance and far away from home could be overwhelming.

When a woman faced that situation, it was St. Luke’s Medical Clinic, run by Catholic Charities of Central Florida, that gave her hope.

Linda Gavino planned to move to the United States from the Philippines to be with her daughter, but in October 2023 doctors discovered colon cancer. While exploring treatments, she also noticed something unusual about one of her breasts. However, surgical fears and worries about moving kept her from asking questions.

Two months later, Gavino finally recovered from surgery and moved to Tavares to be with family. She was happy to care for her grandchildren but still missed her homeland and the relatives she left behind.

“I grew up in the Philippines. It was all I’ve ever known,” she said.

Early in 2024, Gavino could not ignore the changes in her breast. She did not have insurance and was not sure what to do. Her daughter mentioned the dilemma to a friend who told her about Catholic Charities of Central Florida’s St. Luke’s Medical Clinic in Eustis. Gavino decided to give it a try.

“After examining her breasts, in a most sincere way, the doctor told my mom she likely had breast cancer,” said Gavino’s daughter, Helen Johnson.

Johnson recalled her mother breaking down. “She was devastated. She was still in the middle of her colon cancer recovery. She was worried about how we were going to pay for her care. She was always very health-conscious, and yet this was happening to her.”

Gavino said she asked herself and God, “Am I a female Job?” But she prayed and said her faith strengthened despite health challenges.

“I prayed hard for the Lord’s help and always believed there is power in prayer. Then this miracle happened (of finding St. Luke’s),” Gavino said. “God works in miraculous ways.”

Her doctor ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. Gavino had a biopsy in May that confirmed Stage 1 breast cancer. They determined her receptors could block the spread and went forward with a lumpectomy.

Erin Burley, director of Catholic Charities clinics, immediately began searching for insurance options. She secured coverage for the required testing through The Pink Program, a nonprofit that helps the uninsured screen for various cancers. Then she put Gavino’s daughter in contact with Moffitt Cancer Center.

“St. Luke’s Free Medical and Dental Clinic serves the uninsured population whose income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty guideline and who are not eligible for Medicaid,” Burley said. “Many of our patients suffer chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and asthma."

Johnson is grateful to Burley and the staff at St. Luke’s for guiding them through the process.

Gavino celebrated her 66th birthday on Aug 20., four days after her second surgery . Gavino also saw a doctor for follow-up care for colon cancer . She had a colonoscopy , CT scan ,and blood tests .

“And it’s all because St.Luke guided us ,” Johnson said .

Knowing how many people have cared for keeps Gavino hopeful . "St.Luke's clinic has helped me alotin my journey oftreatment,"she shared."I gottoMoffitt because St.Luke's helped mefromtheverystart.IfnotforthemIdon'tknowwhereIwouldbenow....FormyselfmyheartisoverflowingwithgratitudeforSt.Luke's.When treatmentisover,Iwouldliketogetajob.Iwanttopayitforward."

Six doctors serve St.Luke's MedicalandDentalClinic.Duetolimitedavailability,thedoctorsseepatientsabouttwodaysperweek,oftenintheeveningsaftertheirregularworkdayends.Dr.DavidKornblum,thefirsttoseeGavino ,servedtheclinicforseveralmonthsinbetweenmoves.

"Iwantedtodosomethingmeaningfulwithmytime,"Kornblumsaid."Ialwayswantedtomakesomethinglikethisapartofmypracticebuthadn'thadtheopportunity."HesaidvolunteeringatSt.Luke'sfitthebill.SimilarclinicslocatedinWildwood ,Ocala ,LeesburgandSt.Cloudsharethesamemission.AndsincetheCOVIDpandemic,the need is greater than ever.“We lost alotofourvolunteersduringthepandemic,andwesawaninfluxofpatientswholosttheirjobsandthereforetheirhealthinsurance,"Burleysaid.Inheralmost10yearsoverseeingCatholicCharities'clinics,Burleyhasseenthedifferencethathavingmedicalanddentalcarecanmake.Onethingiscertain,theclinicdoctorsanddentistshaveimprovedthelivesofcountlesspatientsandwillcontinuetodosoaslongasvolunteerdoctorscontinuetohelpthoseinneed.FormoreinformationonSt.Luke'sFreeMedicalandDentalClinicinEustiscall352-602-4640.ByGlendaMeekins