Every parent’s worst nightmare is their child being diagnosed with cancer.
Not only must they be a source of strength and comfort for their child as they endure traumatizing treatments, but they must overcome their own fears and anxieties in order to navigate the American health care system — which can often be anything but comforting.
When a child is undergoing cancer treatment, the child should be their parents’ only concern, and that’s the mission of children’s cancer support nonprofits.
For children and families affected by pediatric cancer, these nonprofits can provide financial support, transportation, housing assistance, enrichment activities, patient advocacy, access to therapy and emotional support, and much more.
These nonprofits help families weather some of the worst times in their lives, but in order to do that, they need good insurance backing them up.
So, what do these child cancer charities need most from their insurance?
We talked with several children’s cancer support nonprofits about what’s most important to them when it comes to their insurance coverage — and how that coverage helps them be able to continue their missions.
In their own words…
Gabriella’s Smile Foundation (San Antonio, TX)
“Gabriella’s Smile Foundation provides emotional, financial, and psychosocial support to families impacted by pediatric brain cancer. Through programs, resources, and events, we bring hope, create meaningful moments, and ease burdens during the most challenging times. Our mission is to honor Gabriella’s legacy by spreading smiles and supporting families in need.”
– Isabel Torres, Executive Director, Gabriella’s Smile Foundation
Ali Spears Foundation (Odessa, FL)
“We raise awareness of pediatric cancer in the community, support kids and their families impacted by pediatric cancer, and fund research to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
We fund the Ali Spears Innovation Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; we deliver arts, crafts, and other presents to the local children’s hospitals for holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and more; we provide helper funds to newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients in our community; we “adopt” three to four pediatric cancer patients and their families each holiday season to make sure the families have gifts for the holidays.”
Cameron Spears, Vice President, Ali Spears Foundation
Pacific Cancer Foundation (Wailuku, HI)
“Pacific Cancer Foundation ensures no one on Maui faces cancer alone. We provide free support services including patient navigation, transportation to treatment, and emergency financial assistance. Our Patient Navigators work one-on-one with patients and families, coordinating care and offering vital emotional support throughout their cancer journey.”
– Jenny Worth, Executive Director, Pacific Cancer Foundation
Ocean Dreams Cancer Healing Center (Tavernier, FL)
“We promote holistic healing to help remove the stresses of disease to individuals and their caregivers. We provide one-on-one phone consults, referrals, and retreats for individuals and their caregivers to help them learn about the disease process and ways to improve the quality of life while on their journey with disease — this helps them build everlasting relationships and find enjoyment in life.”
– Terry Sutton, Founder & Executive Director, Ocean Dreams Cancer Healing Center
JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association (Portland, OR)
“Children’s Cancer Association was founded in 1995 by the Ellis family after their five-year-old daughter, Alexandra, died of cancer. Today, we’re a national nonprofit that helps thousands of ill children feel like kids again. Simply put: Joy helps sick kids feel better.
Each year, our free JoyRx Music®, JoyRx Mentorship®, and JoyRx Nature® programs are shared with approximately 40,000 seriously ill children, teens — and their families — across the nation.
Our trauma-informed programs are based on research and best practices, aligned with healthcare goals, and are informed by family feedback. We work closely with care teams to provide engaging enrichment activities that help transform the pediatric experience.”
– Andrea Tichy, Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications, JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association
What did these pediatric cancer support nonprofits need most from their insurer?
Experience and reputation with nonprofits.
“We were seeking a reputable insurance company with experience in nonprofits.”
– Isabel Torres, Gabriella’s Smile Foundation
Nonprofit-specific insurance expertise.
“We were looking for an insurer that specializes in nonprofits.”
– Cameron Spears, Ali Spears Foundation
Insurance from a provider that understands.
“The most important factor for us was we needed an insurer with a deep understanding of nonprofit operations and patient support services.”
– Jenny Worth, Pacific Cancer Foundation
An insurer that gets nonprofits.
“What we needed most as an insurance provider that understands how nonprofits work.”
– Terry Sutton, Ocean Dreams Cancer Healing Center
Affordable coverage.
“According to our CFO, the most important thing to the organization was the cost of appropriate coverage.”
– Andrea Tichy, JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association
How did these children’s cancer support nonprofits hear about NIA?
Social media group.
“I believe we first learned of NIA from a referral through a nonprofit social media group.”
– Isabel Torres, Gabriella’s Smile Foundation
A board member’s recommendation.
“I believe NIA was recommended to us by one of our board members.”
– Cameron Spears, Ali Spears Foundation
Email communications.
“We received an invitation to apply for NIA coverage through our email.”
– Jenny Worth, Pacific Cancer Foundation
A quick internet search.
“Our organization heard about NIA when we did a Google search.”
– Terry Sutton, Ocean Dreams Cancer Healing Center
A broker’s suggestion.
“NIA was recommended by our broker as a good option for a nonprofit of our size.”
– Andrea Tichy, JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association
Since becoming NIA members, how has that relationship helped these pediatric cancer support organizations?
NIA’s caring and supportive team.
“NIA is the only insurance company we’ve ever had. So far, it’s been a great experience! We’ve been happy with the care and support we’ve been offered.”
– Isabel Torres, Gabriella’s Smile Foundation
Easy billing and renewals.
“NIA has been our only insurer and we’ve been very happy with them. The website is easy to navigate for billing and renewal purposes. Some of our events require us to obtain special certificates of insurance — and we’ve been able to do that with NIA.”
– Cameron Spears, Ali Spears Foundation
Affordable insurance to meet unique needs.
“Like many small nonprofits, Pacific Cancer Foundation has faced typical challenges in securing comprehensive insurance coverage that meets our unique needs while remaining within budget constraints.
Our main challenges have included finding coverage that adequately addresses our volunteer activities, special events, and patient transport services at an affordable rate.
What distinguishes NIA is their demonstrated understanding of nonprofit operations and specific experience with organizations providing health-related support services.
Their tailored approach to coverage shows they understand the nuances of patient navigation programs and volunteer-driven services. Additionally, their pricing model considers the financial realities of community-based organizations like ours.
Their experience working with organizations similar to Pacific Cancer Foundation meant they truly understood our needs, particularly around our patient navigation program and volunteer services.”
– Jenny Worth, Pacific Cancer Foundation
Strong customer service.
“NIA has been very responsive and has provided excellent customer service.”
– Terry Sutton, Ocean Dreams Cancer Healing Center
Reasonable costs and solid claims response.
“According to our CFO, NIA’s claims response has been generally pretty good. And the cost has remained reasonable, and service is good.”
– Andrea Tichy, JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association
Children’s cancer support nonprofits deserve insurance that’s with them every step of the way.
Why do pediatric cancer support organizations prefer NIA as their insurer?
It’s simple: Your nonprofit makes sure that families affected by pediatric cancer know that they’re not going through their ordeal alone — you deserve an insurance provider that’s with you every step of the way, too.
Children’s cancer support nonprofits need an insurer that understands the important work they do, provides the quality coverages they need at prices they can afford, and has a supporting and responsive team ready to help their mission succeed.
NIA’s team provides insurance that pediatric cancer support nonprofits can count on, so they can focus on their mission of providing children and families some much-needed reassurance, support, and peace of mind.
