Helping the Hicks Family Overcome the Financial Side Effects of Cancer Five years ago, Travis and Lou Anne received news that no parent wants to hear: Their daughter, Lilli, had leukemia. They celebrated the end of chemotherapy in March 2015 but just shy of a year later, Lilli relapsed. The cancer also spread to her family’s wallets with little mercy.
planning assistance,” Travis explained. “I’m not proud to admit how deep in debt we are, and I’d rather tell a perfect stranger than expose my family to pity or criticism close to home.”
Travis and Lou Anne expected steep medical expenses, but they were caught off guard by “‘hidden costs’ like copays, gas for travel back and forth from appointments, parking fees, food from cafeterias, and accessories for the hospital room.” What’s more, they had to keep up with typical living costs and other unplanned expenses, including a refrigerator replacement, dryer repairs, and braces for three kids. Lilli thankfully overcame her relapse in May 2016, but her family is still facing the financial aftermath. According to her dad, “Lilli is healthy. We have jobs. We have insurance. In spite of all this, we’ll be paying off the debt for years to come.” Travis Hicks participating in the Patient & Caregiver Panel at Family Reach’s Imagine Session 2019
Our planner provided level-headed, objective feedback and set the tone for a plan to get out of debt. Finally, Lilli’s family found Financial Planning for Cancer and we paired them with a pro-bono Certified Financial Planner™ professional who “provided level-headed, objective feedback and set the tone for a plan to get out of debt.” Travis further praised the anonymity of the program. “We are separated by many miles from the person offering us financial
Financial Planning for Cancer
Although Lilli’s family joined Financial Planing for Cancer after she completed treatment, Travis believes other families would benefit from financial advice at the point of diagnosis. “Unless your family is made of money, you will feel the effect of cancer financially. Don’t be too proud to accept help or ask for financial support,” Travis advised. As with the Hicks family, Financial Planning for Cancer empowers patients and their families with the expert guidance, tangible action items, and confidence they need to weather the financial storm of cancer.
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