Case in point . . .

My father received a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March of 2005, followed by my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer the following July. They both underwent treatment on alternating weeks, caring for each other amidst their own battles. Living in central Illinois, I made the 2-hour trip every weekend to assist them.

I vividly recall a moment when they sat together on the couch, my father joking, "We look like a couple of bookends." Despite their resilience, the financial strain was significant. Both were unable to work, relying on major medical coverage. As their sick leave and vacation time depleted, and family medical leave proved insufficient, I began sending money to my mother discreetly. She refused to let my father know, fearing the emotional toll it might take on him knowing he could no longer provide for his family.

Navigating through delayed insurance approvals, limited funds, and pending Veteran benefits, my father couldn't enter an experimental treatment at Loyola University in Chicago until mid-September. Tragically, he passed away just five days later.

In hindsight, the challenges my parents faced underscore the importance of financial preparedness. Aflac could have provided crucial support not only to them but also to my grandparents, sibling, classmates, colleagues, friends, and extended family.