Funding children’s healing

Families with a child battling an extreme medical condition should be able to focus on the health and recovery of their child without worrying about medical bills. But for many families in this country, that’s not an option. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly a quarter of households with children under 18 carry medical debt, compared to 16.5% of households without children*.

A family in need of support

Eric Gidley, owner of Diatom Insurance, experienced this firsthand when his son, Logan, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2018. After a round of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, Logan’s cancer came back a third time, and the family needed help financially.

Gidley reached out to the Armer Foundation For Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to easing the financial burden of families with children battling extreme medical conditions. The Armer Foundation For Kids helped fund the family’s journey to Los Angeles so Logan could be part of a new therapeutic intervention. Heartbreakingly, Logan experienced numerous setbacks and ultimately passed away in 2021.

Logan’s wish continues to change lives

For families like the Gidleys, the journey through a child’s serious medical condition can be arduous, painful and without relief. The Armer Foundation For Kids helps with financial support for medical copays, premiums, deductibles and more. “Seeing our son struggle was one of the most difficult things we’ve ever had to go through,” said Gidley. “One of Logan’s wishes was to pay it forward and continue to help other kids and families going through similar things.” Together with the Armer Foundation For Kids, that’s what the Gidley family and Diatom Insurance continue to do.

“The Armer Foundation For Kids helped us when we needed it most, and now our mission is to further their impact on other families.”

— Eric Gidley, owner of Diatom Insurance

Logan had a passion for music — he loved playing the clarinet and dancing. To honor him, the Armer Foundation For Kids and Diatom Insurance created a separate fund called Logan’s Healing Sounds Musical Therapy, which donates musical instruments to local hospitals for music therapy for children. “The Armer Foundation For Kids helped us when we needed it most,” said Gidley. “And now our mission is to further their impact on other families.”

Enabling families to heal

Today, the relationship between Diatom Insurance and the Armer Foundation For Kids is stronger than ever. Gidley and the Diatom Insurance team participate in various Armer Foundation For Kids fundraisers and blood drives throughout the year. Most recently, Diatom Insurance sponsored Armer Foundation For Kids’ third Annual Gala, which raised over $43,000 in donations for children and families in need.

“With Diatom Insurance’s help, many more children and their families will be relieved from medical bills so they can focus on healing.”

— Jennifer Armer, founder of Armer Foundation For Kids

In addition to raising funds, the gala was successful in creating more awareness about children living with cancer and the impact on the local community. The event included musical recitals from children enrolled in local singing lessons, something that Logan would’ve really appreciated.

A Make More Happen award from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance would allow Armer Foundation For Kids to cover the insurance copays and transportation expenses for the families of children receiving daily radiation and chemotherapy treatments. “Helping children and their families through hard times is what we do,” said Jennifer Armer, founder of Armer Foundation For Kids. “With Diatom Insurance’s help, many more children and their families will be relieved from medical bills so they can focus on healing.”

Help Diatom Insurance win $10,000 for the Armer Foundation For Kids by cheering them on with a vote!

* U.S. Census Bureau, 2021; https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/who-had-medical-debt-in-united-states.html