MassMutual Exceeds a Half Million Dollars in Breast Cancer Awareness Support

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Jan 28, 2010, 03:00 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual), working with its agents across the country, donated more than $150,000 in 2009 to breast cancer awareness causes, topping $500,000 in total contributions since 2005, as part of a nationwide effort to educate and advocate for financial preparedness among women.

MassMutual focuses on breast cancer awareness as a homegrown passion and platform for year-long financial educational opportunities for women. This year the company sponsored a host of education and awareness programs, including its unique seminar series that teaches women about the importance of planning for their financial future and, in particular, for unexpected life events such as breast cancer.

"Once again, our company and our people have stepped up to support this important cause in ways that will make a difference for thousands of women and their loved ones," said Beth Wood, assistant vice president, U.S. Insurance Group, MassMutual. "Every year, our corporate leaders and our agents support this cause with great generosity and passion, and with the knowledge that their efforts are helping to change lives for the better."

MassMutual's contributions were made on both a local and national level. Locally, more than 40 MassMutual agencies in 28 states sponsored Pearls of Wisdom^® financial education seminars during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) in 2009. The seminars were geared toward educating women about the importance of being financially prepared and steps that they can take to prepare themselves and their families for the future. For each qualifying seminar, MassMutual made a $1,000 contribution, resulting in a total of $83,000 being donated to local charities focused on cancer research, prevention and/or treatment.

Nationally, MassMutual also supported three important programs with sizable donations and support, including:

The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, with which MassMutual is joining in an innovative program to raise funds to help advance revolutionary genetic research.

The Trek Women Triathlon Series, a sprint-distance swim, bike and run/walk for women sponsored by MassMutual. At each of the race locations, MassMutual hosted a breakfast for the members of Team Survivor, which provides free support to female cancer survivors pursuing fitness goals, to share their stories and meet with other survivors.

The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Hartford, Conn., the society's premier event to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer.

Wood said MassMutual will continue its comprehensive and year-long support of breast cancer awareness causes in 2010. "As an organization and as individuals, we are committed to helping women become more aware and more prepared, and to helping organizations advance the causes of research, prevention and treatment," she said.

For more information, http://www.massmutual.com/womenandfinance/bcawareness.

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.