The families who will be assisted by the Foundation have primary and secondary insurance, but are required to fund 20% or more of their out-of-pocket medical expenses (consisting exclusively of doctors' fees) for catastrophic neurosurgery. Although these families earn enough money to be ineligible for federal or state assistance, their earnings are not enough to fund their required share of these medical expenses without a struggle. Already faced with the emotional and other challenges of having a critically ill child, these families are further distressed by the financial challenge of funding the cost of catastrophic surgical care for that child. Often, these families are forced to take out a second mortgage, or cash in college funds or life insurance policies, in an effort to pay for their child's surgery. The efforts required to line up financial resources also divert time and energy that would be better spent providing much needed emotional support to their sick child and other family members. The Foundation will assist with supplemental funding and increase coverage for this particularly vulnerable group of individuals through The Special Promise Medical Endowment, which will provide financial assistance to children requiring neurosurgery.