A Nevada oncologist has converted his office's storage room into a chemotherapy room where underinsured cancer patients get his free service and drugs partly paid by Clark County.

Nick Spirtos, director of the Women's Cancer Center of Nevada, also uses cash donation boxes placed throughout the county to help cover the cost of chemotherapy of cancer patients, who have nowhere to go since the state cut budget for its outpatient cancer center at the University Medical Center's oncology clinic early this year.

Spirtos' chemotherapy room is helping the likes of Christina Aguilar, 28, a Toys R Us cashier suffering from ovarian cancer. Aguilar is ineligible for Medicaid because of her salary, but it is not enough to cover medical insurance.

She is among 75 to 80 women Spirtos attend to every month at the converted chemotherapy room. Other patients include those who have recently lost their jobs, have no insurance benefits and are ineligible for public aid.

Spirtos said he is gratified by the patients' hugs and rubbing of his bald head.