Before Everything Changed

In October 2021, Logan K. married her husband, Lucas, and together they eagerly began building their future, focused on growing their careers and starting a family. Less than a year into their marriage, Logan began feeling run-down. Her doctors repeatedly dismissed her concerns, insisting nothing was wrong.

As her symptoms worsened over the next few months, Logan sought answers, going so far as to pay for private lab work. The results revealed abnormalities which led to additional testing. In November 2022, at just 20 years old, Logan received a life-altering diagnosis: stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Preserving Her Chance at a Family

Due to her late-stage cancer diagnosis, Logan needed to begin treatment immediately, leaving no time for an egg retrieval. Instead, she made the difficult decision to have one ovary surgically removed and frozen in hopes of preserving her ability to have biological children in the future. She endured six months of chemotherapy, during which she was unable to work, and the couple relied on Lucas’ income to stay afloat. When Logan met her out-of-pocket maximum twice in a matter of months, their medical debt quickly mounted.

“My husband & I were faced with massive medical bills after my cancer diagnosis, which ate through most of our savings. I couldn’t work; my husband’s job was our only source of income. Trying to pay for medical bills & everyday expenses with one income was overwhelming.”

Logan K.
SAMFund Grant Recipient

Taking the Next Step

From the moment treatment began, Logan and Lucas knew they would need fertility support to grow their family. Once treatment ended and they were ready to take the next step, their doctors recommended beginning with intrauterine insemination (IUI), a less invasive and more financially manageable option. Although insurance did not cover fertility treatment, Logan and Lucas were determined not to let cancer delay their dream of becoming parents.

“IUI was our most noninvasive and affordable family-building option. After the high cost of cancer treatment, I didn’t want to incur more medical debt to start a family.”

Logan K.
SAMFund Grant Recipient

The Gift of Possibility

Alongside the physical and emotional demands of fertility treatment, Logan continued to face significant financial strain. As a cancer survivor in ongoing surveillance, she’s reached her out-of-pocket maximum each year due to the cost of necessary follow-up care. The added expenses of family-building medications, genetic testing, and procedures not covered by insurance further contributed to the burden.

Logan applied for Expect Miracles Foundation’s SAMFund Family Building Grant to seek financial relief. The grant provided critical financial assistance and helped cover the cost of fertility treatments, allowing them to continue their journey forward.

“Fertility treatments are incredibly expensive, but the support from EMF’s SAMFund Family Building Grant allowed us to pursue our dream of starting a family. It gave us not only financial relief, but momentum and hope to keep moving forward.”

Logan K.
SAMFund Grant Recipient

A New Chapter Begins

Logan and Lucas welcomed their twins, Austyn and Aspyn, in November 2024. Through every challenge, Logan discovered that even the most overwhelming moments can be faced by taking life one step at a time. Logan’s family-building journey was marked by resilience, faith, and unwavering hope. With the support of EMF’s SAMFund grant, Logan and Lucas were able to move forward and turn their dream of starting a family into a reality.