For Nearly 100 Years Royal Neighbors Has Fought Cancer on Many Fronts

CHICAGO - Aug. 23, 2016 - PRLog -- Fighting cancer is not a new campaign for Royal Neighbors of America. For nearly 100 years the women-led life insurer has been educating women and their families about the deadly disease, as well as providing financial support to cancer survivors through Royal Neighbors' volunteer efforts and community outreach activities.

    Early actions to fight cancer started with limiting cigarette-smoking in its buildings in the early 1900s. Royal Neighbors took the cancer fight up a notch when it cautioned women about the disease in an article in the July 1920 issue of The Royal Neighbor magazine. The article, Fourteen Points about Cancer, included information from the American Society for the Control of Cancer about cancer statistics, detection and treatment.

   Royal Neighbors' emphasis on cancer support extends beyond the needs of its members. It was founded in 1895 on the dual mission of both providing financial protection through life insurance and "neighbor-helping-neighbor" community service.Unlike many life insurers, Royal Neighbors is a fraternal benefit society, a group of like-minded, socially conscious people who share a common bond and also share the desire to help their neighbors make a difference in their communities. Royal Neighbors specializes in the needs of women, but males are welcome to join, as well as take part in volunteer projects.

    Cancer advocacy can take other forms. In 2015, Royal Neighbors made headlines when it launched the initial stage of a patent-pending process including a Cancer Waiver rider designed to help in the event of a diagnosis of  cervical, ovarian, or breast cancer at Stage II or higher.

    The Cancer Waiver rider waives insurance premiums or monthly deductions for two years following the diagnosis. It was only available on Whole Life insurance.* Now, in 2016, Royal Neighbors is offering the same rider with Universal Life insurance.**

     "When a woman undergoes cancer treatment her focus should be on getting well," said Cynthia Tidwell, President/CEO of Royal Neighbors. "With this new coverage, we can provide women that extra support when they need it most."

    Sometimes support comes in smaller amounts, but involves more hands-on volunteerism. In January 2016 Royal Neighbors launched the Difference Maker Fund. The new program offers Royal Neighbors' members $200 in seed money to support a community project that aligns with the life insurer's mission. One of the first projects funded was a cancer-related project, Blankets for Breast Cancer Patients in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The group provides cozy blankets to help cancer patients stay warm and comfortable during infusion treatments.

    Due to the steady increase of cancer, many of Royal Neighbors' neighbor-helping-neighbor community service efforts focus on supporting women who have the disease. This is especially evident in Royal Neighbors' signature program, Nation of Neighbors,which provides financial support to a person who has a plan to start or expand a business or organization/group that helps women and girls in their community.

    A 2015 Nation of Neighbors recipient, Jane Morse Swett, founder of Women With Purpose, received a $10,000 grant. The Tampa-based, non-profit organization provides cancer patients with non-medical financial assistance for basic necessities by paying rent, mortgages, utilities, car payments, gas and food cards. Royal Neighbors representatives surprised Morse-Swett with a check at a fundraising fashion show event, Catwalk for a Cause.

    "I am so blessed and so grateful," said Morse-Swett as she dabbed away a tear. "This $10,000 is just going to put us over top."

    Stacey Michelle, creative director of Women With Purpose, and the emissary who helped coordinate the surprise check presentation with Tamica Gooden, a Royal Neighbors member and employee who nominated Morse-Swett for the award, was equally appreciative to Royal Neighbors.

    "We are very grateful to be able to help many, many, patients who are awaiting assistance," said Michelle.

     Across the U.S. in Scottsdale, Arizona, another cancer-related charity that has benefited from Royal Neighbors' generosity is Singleton Moms. The non-profit organization is dedicated to nurturing single parents battling cancer, and their minor children, by meeting the practical day- to-day needs of the entire family. In the last nine years Singleton Moms has provided financial assistance, nutritious meals, house cleaning, kid's events and emotional support to over 300 single parents and their 1000+ children. In addition to being a past Nation of Neighbors grant recipient, Jody Farley-Berens, founder and executive director of Singleton Moms, is a favorite charity of Royal Neighbors' chapter in Mesa, AZ.

    Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led insurers, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, simplified issue, and universal life.

    Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

*Promise Plus is Essential Whole Life insurance (Form Series 1314) + Cancer Waiver of Premium Rider (Form Series 2084). Certificate and riders are not available in all states. Contractual provisions and limitations may vary by state. Subject to reinsurance and underwriting requirements. Patent Pending.

**Secure Life Universal Life Cash Value (Form Series 1315). SecureLife Universal Life Death Benefit (Form Series 1211). Certificate and riders are not available in all states. Contractual provisions and limitations may vary by state. Subject to reinsurance and underwriting requirements.

Form EM2016-87

Links

http://www.royalneighbors.org/

http://www.royalneighbors.org/community-connections/nation-of-neighbors

http://www.womenwithpurposefl.org/

http://www.singletonmoms.org/

http://www.royalneighbors.org/community-connections/difference-maker-fund

https://www.facebook.com/RoyalNeighborsofAmerica