Financial Assistance to Help Fight Against Cancer

Lévis (Québec), September 3, 2009 – Because of the ever-increasing number of cases of all types of cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and Desjardins Financial Security have joined forces to minimize the financial hardships of people suffering from cancer and their families. Desjardins Financial Security started by making a $25,000 donation to the CCS's Financial Assistance Program, and will continue to support the CCS by donating a portion of the annual premiums for every new GetWell Insurance contract issued over the next two years. GetWell Insurance is a brand new product that offers coverage against the financial consequences of cancer. The CCS will use these funds to offer financial assistance to people affected by this disease, based on certain eligibility criteria.

"Our partnership with Desjardins Financial Security will make it easier for us to support cancer patients so they can focus on getting better," says Jean Pierre Laurin, Assistant Executive Director of the Canadian Cancer Society, Quebec Division.

"In 2008, our material and financial assistance program paid out more than $900,000 in allowances and refunds for parking and transportation expenses, plus other essential supplies," indicates Mr. Laurin. The average five-year survival rate following a diagnosis is 62%. It is estimated that 171,000 Canadians (44,200 in Quebec) will be diagnosed with cancer in 2009, which will no doubt entail financial repercussions for many of them. "All too often during cancer treatment, income drops and expenses add up because of the costs related to care and services that are not covered. As a result, the CCS will see an increase in the number of requests for financial assistance," concludes Mr. Laurin.

One-of-a-kind insurance
After diagnosis, life goes on. Desjardins Financial Security's GetWell Insurance helps lighten the financial burden caused by cancer treatment. This insurance pays a tax-free, lump-sum benefit on the first diagnosis of cancer. Insureds are free to use this amount as they see fit, so they can focus their efforts on getting better or helping an insured family member recover. The insurance also includes convalescence and psychological assistance services to help get through this difficult period.

"We know that cancer strikes regardless of a person's age, gender or situation. We also know that the treatment-related expenses have an impact on those affected by cancer. In designing GetWell Insurance, we made sure that it is easy to buy, and offers broader eligibility criteria and very affordable premiums so that as many people as possible can protect themselves against the financial consequences of cancer," says François Morel, an AssurDirect advisor at Desjardins Financial Security.

To learn more about GetWell Insurance, go to: http://www.getwellinsurance.ca

About Desjardins Financial Security

Desjardins Sécurité financière est une composante du Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, specializes in providing life insurance, health insurance and retirement savings products to individuals and groups. Every day, over five million Canadians rely on Desjardins Financial Security to ensure their financial well-being. Desjardins Financial Security employs some 3,800 people and administers over $20.4 billion in assets from offices in several cities across the country, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec, Lévis, Halifax and St. John's. For more information, visit our website at www.desjardinsfinancialsecurity.com.

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Source :
Stéphanie Vilandré
Communications Advisor
Communications
418-838-7800 or 1-800-463-7870, ext. 3394