‘Breasts’ were on the menu at the inaugural Breakfast for Boobies event held at The Sett in Umhlanga on Friday the 4th of November 2016. The event was a collaboration between FMI and Bidvest Insurance to further educate women about early detection, symptoms and the realities once diagnosed with one of the most commonly claimed cancers for insurance by women - breast cancer. Approximately 150 ladies attended the event which was not the usual cancer awareness talk in that it also provided valuable insights to guests about how to fight cancer financially.
FMI recently launched their Critical Illness Insurance Cover with unique offerings particularly around breast cancer. FMI ambassador and cancer survivor, Mandy Cremer, took centre stage re-living her harrowing battle against breast cancer and the emotional and financial impacts on her family while trying to fight medical aid to cover her breast reconstruction surgery done following her mastectomy.
“As a direct result of Mandy’s heart-wrenching experience, we realized that we needed to take a fresh approach to critical illness and applied our learning’s from people like Mandy to build what we believe is the best holistic solution to critical illness cover. We have always tried to shape our business and policies around our clients’ actual needs once they are faced with serious illnesses and tough circumstances. People like Mandy are instrumental in helping us understand and adapt prdoucts to be truly relevant to people when they need it most. Today was truly inspirational and we hope that we achieved what we set out to do, which was to empower our guests with knowledge and insights from experts and real people about their dealings with breast cancer – right from early detection to helping deal with the eventualities of a positive diagnosis,” explained Brad Toerien, CEO of FMI.
Other drawcards for the event included PJ Powers who kept guests entertained while competitions and games broke the ice. Other speakers in the line-up included Physio and Lymphoedema therapist, Donnée Ness, who enlightened guests about how to surround yourself with a good support structure and educate yourself on all your options to take control of your body. As well as Satin Candy’s Umhlanga Branch Manager, Sandra Thomas who revealed information about bras specifically for woman with mastectomies, how the right bra and fit can maximise your best assets and lift your confidence.
And while the experts were imparting their knowledge, guests were parting with the bras they had brought to the event that were being donated by The Pink Drive to poverty-stricken women in shelters. “Not only were bras donated by guests but a Pink Drive ribbon was also purchased by FMI for every woman in attendance and these proceeds go towards the great work that The Pink Drive does. It really was such an uplifting and humbling morning and we are so grateful to Bidvest Insurance and all the other partners and speakers involved in this event that helped make it a success,” stated FMI’s Marketing Manager, Grace Winter.