Today’s Work of Mercy: Help an Army Family Bury Their Child

A reader writes:

I wanted to share my friend’s story and ask your readers for prayers and donations. He and I served in Iraq together as Army officers. A few months ago, he and his wife tragically lost their daughter, Catherine, when at 21 weeks and 5 days, she was stillborn. They returned home to Georgia from California to bury her, burdened with massive expenses between medical bills (even after insurance), travel, and burial arrangements. After the funeral, Curt (still an active duty Army Officer) contacted Army Casualty Affairs and filed a claim under the Family Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) held by Prudential, understanding that a child still-born was entitled to the standard life insurance payment, which the Ivins family intended to use to pay for Catherine’s funeral expenses.

On April 8, 2015, Prudential notified Curt and Alex that their claim was denied. Prudential stated that according to their policy, Catherine would only qualify for coverage if her weight had been unknown. Because her weight was recorded at the time of her death, her gestational age did not matter and she did not qualify as still-born. Catherine weighed 2 ounces less than the minimum. Noting the Certificate of Still Birth from the State of California, Curt resubmitted the insurance claim and was denied for the second and final time on May 18, 2015.

This is a tragic, cruel decision that has left them with a heavy financial burden. I’ve organized a YouCaring campaign (http://www.youcaring.com/curt-and-alex-ivins-381470#) for anyone who would like to help out. For their part, the family is continuing to raise awareness of this issue in hopes that they are the last family so harmed by FSGLI’s policy. Thanks for you time!

Father, help this family in this time of grief.  Thank you for the generosity of your people!  We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ!  Amen!  Mother Mary, pray for us sinners now and at  the hour of our death.