Life Over Debt
Our Mission
We're an alliance of credit unions delivering consumer debt relief and financial counseling services to members suffering economic distress from cancer.
The Crisis in Plain Sight
Cancer doesn't just devastate health — it devastates finances.
Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
extra out-of-pocket spending in the six months after diagnosis
average annual out-of-pocket burden for patients and caregivers
of patients lose their life savings in the first two years of treatment
more likely for cancer patients to file for bankruptcy
of cancer patients say financial distress is a fate worse than death
What Life Over Debt Provides
As a participating credit union, KEMBA will receive:
Proven Debt Relief Model
- Procedures for offering payment and interest pauses up to 18 months
- Debt relief options tailored to each member's financial situation and loan status
- Cancer Care Loan program with no payments or interest for 6 months
Financial Counseling Best Practices
- Guidance from Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors
- Best practices from medical experts and credit union professionals
- Techniques for helping members navigate cancer's financial minefield
Latest Research & Medical Insights
- Current research on medical debt, especially cancer-related debt
- Partnership with University of Alabama at Birmingham studying program effectiveness
Powerful Member Stories
- Real stories of members helped by debt relief and financial counseling
- Recognition for credit union staff making a difference
- Content to demonstrate the credit union difference to your community
Investment & Access
Life Over Debt is supported by a one-time fee from participating credit unions based on asset size.
The one-time fee for your credit union. In return, you'll have unlimited access to a program that helps your members navigate the hardest season of their lives so they can afford to heal and hope.
Real Results from Real Members
"It's going to give me a big break. I'm gonna be able to catch up to pay the other stuff I need to pay. Thank you very much for this program. It's an amazing blessing. It's going to help a lot of people to rebuild, to help them going through the illness and not to worry financially."— Ivonne, Enbright Credit Union member
An Orsa Credit Union member facing eviction and pawning possessions received a 6-month payment suspension at 0% interest. When told the news:
"He was very grateful that he wouldn't have to worry about those payments for now and expressed how thankful he was while wiping away tears."
This Is the Credit Union Difference
Medical researchers have studied cancer's financial devastation for years, yet none mention financial institutions as a viable source of help.
"Life Over Debt changes that narrative. We're proving that credit unions can — and should — be part of the solution."— Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer, Defense Credit Union Council
National Recognition
2025 Anthem Awards, honoring purpose-driven work of organizations worldwide
University of Alabama at Birmingham study funded by the National Cancer Institute
Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions endorsement
Current Alliance Members
- New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union (founding member)
- Community Financial Credit Union
- Enbright Credit Union
- Edwards Federal Credit Union
- HealthShare Credit Union
- Holy Family Memorial Credit Union
- Infuze Credit Union
Why Join Now
Life Over Debt sends a powerful message to every member:
"When you're fighting for your life, you need your money more than we do."
For KEMBA, this program offers:
- A proven way to help members in their most desperate hour
- Alignment with your mission to serve healthcare professionals
- Differentiation from traditional financial institutions
- Member loyalty and deepened relationships during crisis
- A meaningful way to demonstrate the credit union difference
Be the Umbrella
The Umbrella Man — one of the original symbols of credit unions from the 1920s — represented our mission to protect everyday people from financial storms, no matter what.
Cancer is one of the worst storms our members will ever endure.