MassMutual Launches Extended Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

Efforts seek to expand company’s leadership role in educating women.

(Springfield, MA) - Expanding its commitment to the cause of breast cancer awareness, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has kicked off an extended effort to educate women, support local cancer-related programs, and make substantial donations to cancer research, prevention and treatment organizations throughout the country.

“For us, breast cancer awareness is more than just a month-long observance in October. It’s an important issue that we support throughout the year, most importantly by educating women about the steps they can take to protect themselves and their families,” said Susan W. Sweetser, vice president of Focus Markets.

MassMutual’s efforts began in Orlando on Mother’s Day weekend, when it kicked off its sponsorship of the 2007 Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series for the third year in a row. In each of the eight race cities throughout the summer, MassMutual will present an interactive “fiscal” fitness seminar to race participants, entitled Pearls of Wisdom®, that explores the complexities behind real life, day-to-day situations and financial decision-making for women. MassMutual will make a contribution to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation on behalf of each seminar attendee.

In the fall, MassMutual will again conduct its innovative Breast Cancer Awareness Month financial education seminar campaign in which it will make charitable contributions of up to $3,000 to local cancer organizations in the name of each MassMutual agency that conducts its Pearls of Wisdom financial education seminars in October. MassMutual will encourage its agents to present these seminars in their local communities to raise awareness of financial preparedness, especially when it comes to breast cancer and other unexpected life events.

As a result of the company’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign in 2006, cancer research, detection and treatment programs in 25 states shared more than $110,000 in donations from MassMutual and its agents, who conducted more than 90 Pearls of Wisdom financial education seminars across the country. Among the groups benefiting from the agents’ efforts were several local chapters of the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and a host of other local charities.

To further bolster its educational initiatives, the company also will offer its ground-breaking informational brochure that informs women about financial preparedness, insurance and breast cancer. Believed to be the first of its kind in the industry, the brochure helps dispel the mistaken belief of many women that a history of breast cancer will prevent them from obtaining insurance coverage. In fact, it is now easier for breast cancer survivors to qualify for MassMutual life insurance coverage -- and many will pay less for it -- because MassMutual has updated its life insurance underwriting guidelines to reflect positive diagnostic and treatment developments.

In addition to these efforts, MassMutual will undertake a variety of activities at its Springfield, MA and Enfield, CT headquarters to involve and educate its own employees on the topic of breast cancer prevention.

To learn more, visit www.massmutual.com/women.