MassMutual and Vera Bradley Combine Forces to Battle Breast Cancer

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer today announced the formation of an alliance designed to increase donations to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories and its groundbreaking work in identifying genetic information leading to improved detection and treatment of breast cancer.

The alliance kicked off this month with MassMutual's commitment to underwrite the expenses of the Foundation's key spokesperson, Heidi Floyd, as she travels across the country sharing her own personal battle with breast cancer while raising awareness of the Vera Bradley Foundation's mission to raise funds in support of its research center.

The donations that come in from the combined efforts of MassMutual and the Vera Bradley Foundation will be added to the $10 million that the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has already committed to help eradicate breast cancer.

"We have met our first $10 million pledge and are working toward our goal of another $10 million endowment and research program support to the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center's Breast Cancer Research team," said Floyd, who is the development ambassador for the Foundation.

"MassMutual's commitment to breast cancer awareness and families who have been affected runs very deeply throughout our organization," said Kelley Gay, assistant vice president of Market Development for the U.S. Insurance Group, MassMutual.  "MassMutual is one of the leaders in providing insurance coverage for breast cancer survivors," she continued, frequently revising underwriting guidelines to reflect the positive strides in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. "The end result," added Gay, "is that MassMutual's insurance coverage has shorter waiting periods and lower premiums for eligible breast cancer survivors."

In fact, this history of providing insurance coverage to breast cancer survivors was the spark that ignited the relationship between MassMutual and Vera Bradley.

"I get a lot of calls from people who are not only devastated by their disease but also devastated financially, as a result. I am impressed by the fact that MassMutual is the one of a select few insurance providers that has been working for more than 45 years to find ways to cover those of us who have fought breast cancer," said Floyd.  "With the additional support from MassMutual, we contribute more to the research that is moving us toward earlier breast cancer diagnosis and more effective treatments and therapies for persons diagnosed with breast cancer."

MassMutual and its financial professionals across the U.S. have sponsored a variety of educational events since 2005 that have resulted in over $500,000 in contributions for cancer-related organizations. This year, the "MassMutual Supports the Cause" campaign commitment has become even more significant through its sponsorship of the Vera Bradley Foundation's speaking tour.

For more information on MassMutual's commitment to breast cancer awareness and education, visit massmutual.com/womenandfinance/bcawareness. For more information on the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, visit verabradley.org.

About the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer

The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is celebrating its 11 years of funding breast cancer research at the IU School of Medicine. With the endowment of the Vera Bradley Chair in Oncology, currently held by Dr. Linda Malkas, and other gifts totaling $10 million, the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is doing its part to eradicate breast cancer. The Foundation receives funding through the sale of Vera Bradley breast cancer awareness designs, special events across the nation and through donations on verabradley.org.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders.  The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives.  MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit massmutual.com. 

SOURCE MassMutual