HOPE Donates $100,000 to the American Cancer Society

CARMEL, Ind., Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HOPE (Health Opportunity through Partnership in Education) has gifted the American Cancer Society (ACS) $100,000 to support world-class cancer research.  To date, HOPE has contributed $250,000 to the society's lifesaving mission.

HOPE, incorporated in 1982, is a non-profit organization that works to promote good health, encourage scientific research and disseminate information concerning the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and accidents.

HOPE, in partnership with Washington National Insurance Company, collaborated with ACS in their 2012 matching gift program, with the promise of HOPE matching donations up to a total of $100,000 in gifts received.   

"We're proud to join the fight against cancer and are pleased to make this donation on behalf of HOPE," said Barbara Stewart, president of HOPE.  "Once again, the generous contributions made by Washington National certificate holders and HOPE will further support the American Cancer Society's efforts to fund life saving research and programs to help people stay well, get well, and find cures for cancer."

HOPE, based in Carmel, Indiana, has long been associated with Washington National, a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, Inc.  HOPE members and Washington National's 80,000 cancer policy certificate holders generously contribute to the HOPE foundation to support and promote its mission through partnerships with established non-profit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society.

"The HOPE contribution will enable the American Cancer Society to continue to fund lifesaving cancer research programs," said Roshini George, national vice president of health promotions for the Society.  "The donation goes a long way toward helping the society continue its fight for every birthday threatened by cancer."

As part of last year's gift, $50,000 went to support the work of Dr. Michael Verneris, an associate professor and a key member of the pediatric bone marrow transplant group at the University of Minnesota.  His promising research seeks to understand how natural killer cells can be used not only to kill cancer cells, but also to reduce chemotherapy-induced injury to the lymph nodes and intestine.

About HOPE
HOPE (Health Opportunity through Partnership in Education) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1982.  With nearly 80,000 members, HOPE's mission is to promote good health, to encourage scientific research, and to disseminate information about the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and accidents.  For more information, visit www.hopemembers.com.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer.  As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.  We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.  As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do.  As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year.  To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About Washington National Insurance Company
Washington National Insurance Company, a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, Inc., has helped Americans since 1911 to protect themselves and their families from the financial hardship that often comes with critical illness, accidents or loss of life.  The company's supplemental health and life insurance products are designed to help give policyholders and their loved ones peace of mind. Policyholders can depend on Washington National to be a strong, caring partner in helping to provide financial security for them and their families.  To learn more, visit www.washingtonnational.com

SOURCE Washington National Insurance Company