Brittney LaCombe – A Mother’s Death Brings on Struggle
When Brittney was 20, her mom died of a pulmonary embolism. In an instant, Brittney had to become a mother figure to her two younger sisters and the family’s sole breadwinner, all while continuing her college studies. Brittney works tirelessly and is determined to persevere. View full story
Chezerea Ortiz – Learning From a Parent’s Mistake
Mark Ortiz was a HVAC technician, providing his family with a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. His family’s quality of life changed almost instantly after Mark suffered a stroke and died six months later. Because he couldn’t work during his illness and didn’t own any life insurance, his family found itself in a dire financial situation. His wife, Tiffany, had her own health issues at the time and couldn’t work. Mark’s oldest child, Chezerea, 20, took matters into her own hands by putting off her college and became her family’s sole breadwinner, working long hours at several jobs to cover her family’s basic living needs. View full story
Esther Kim – A Mixed Legacy
Young Chang Kim was his family’s sole breadwinner when a stroke left him unable to work. His wife took every menial job she could get to provide for her family, and when her children were older they worked hard too. Things became more desperate when Young Chang died and didn’t have life insurance to cushion the financial blow. His daughter Esther regrets that so many memories of her father are through the bills due each month and not of the great man he was. View full story
Jermaine Suggs – Lessons Learned
Life dealt Jermaine a one-two blow: He lost his grandmother and father within a week’s time. His father left behind a business deeply in debt and no life insurance, forcing Jermaine to rework his future. He left college and began working at a gas station to help his mother out and to put money aside to eventually return to school. View full story
Karim Abouelnaga – The American Dream Put on Hold
A small business owner and recent immigrant, Adel Abouelnaga, was living the American Dream when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He died nine months later without any life insurance, leaving behind a wife and five sons. The family was left penniless, thrusting his three teenage sons into the role of breadwinners. View full story
Melinda Canter – Life Changes—Overnight
Steven Canter had been ill as a result of his work in construction, but no one anticipated that he would die at just 44 years old. Steven had owned life insurance, but he and his wife, Melinda, let their policies lapse a few years earlier when money was tight. Since his passing, Melinda has done her utmost—often working 80 hours a week—to keep the family afloat financially, but it is a never-ending struggle. View full story
Tracy Basden – Surviving Through Determination
Eddie Basden, a single father, owned life insurance but dropped it when money was tight. Sadly, Eddie died when his children were still teenagers, leaving them in a precarious financial situation. Through hard work and determination, Tracy and Matthew Basden have persevered. But their journey has been much harder than it would have been had their father held onto his life insurance coverage. View full story
Tyler Leifeste – Overcoming Life’s Challenges
Sam and Nina Leifeste specialized in dentistry. At age 44, Sam died after routine surgery leaving behind Nina and their two children. Life insurance provided financial relief, but Nina acknowledges that the couple hadn’t purchased enough. Then the next crises hit. Nina was diagnosed with breast cancer and the family lost their home to Hurricane Ike. Despite these challenges, the family has persevered. The couple’s son, Tyler, sums it up this way, “While you’re here make sure everything is taken care of because you don’t long how long you’re going to be here.” View full story