Looking after the health of our frontline heroes

Our Gardaí, Nurses and Firefighters protect and save lives every day. This January we are proud to give our frontline heroes the chance to avail of a breast or prostate health assessment programme, under the banner “Pink Power” for women, and “Blue Power” for men.

Munster, Connaught & Ulster - now open for bookings

Women under age 50 and men aged 40 - 65 in the following plans are invited to attend: 

  1. GRA Group Life Plan
  2. PNA Salary Protection Scheme
  3. SIPTU Nurses & Midwives Salary Protection Scheme
  4. POA Group Life Plan
  5. Fire Brigade Income Protection Plan
  6. EPA/TII Income Continuance Plan

The programme is now open to book in Munster, Connaught and Ulster. If you are eligible, Cornmarket sent an invite to you by post on 9th January 2020 (note deadline to book is 10th February 2020).

Results so far*

The response has been excellent so far. The rollout and bookings for Leinster are now closed. 

  • 1,600 booked a GP appointment where they got life-saving education on the signs and symptoms of prostate and breast cancer
  • Women were also shown how to perform a regular breast self-check
  • 60% of the GP appointments are now complete
  • 30% of those who attended a GP appointment were referred for further tests, like an MRI, mammogram, ultrasound, and/or biopsy

Cancer found in 3 participants 

Unfortunately, three Cornmarket customers were diagnosed with cancer through this campaign so far. Breast Cancer was found in one Garda (GRA member) and Prostate Cancer has been found in two firefighters. Thankfully, many breast and prostate cancers are treatable. Early intervention is key and our clinical partners are taking great care of them.

The bigger picture**

There’s a reason we call it Pink and Blue Power. The programme is powerful and it works. Since we launched the programme in 2012, we have reached huge numbers.

To date thousands got life-saving education on the signs and symptoms of breast and prostate cancer. One campaign at a time, we are making a difference in the fight against cancer. The numbers in a snapshot:

  • 10,000 Cornmarket customers booked a GP appointment through the programme
  • 2,000 were referred for further tests
  • 31 Cornmarket customers were diagnosed with cancer

Many said the programme saved their life**:

 “It saved my life as it picked up breast cancer early and I was treated. Without pink power my story would have been very different”

“They found something abnormal during the assessment. It’s early and hopefully caught in time”

“I required surgery so the campaign was of great benefit to me. Literally saved my life.”

“I availed of Blue Power and I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. The cancer could have spread but, thankfully, everything is 100% now.”

For more info visit cornmarket.ie/pink-blue-power

*Source: Cornmarket, January, 2020. Figures across the GRA, POA, PNA, SIPTU nurses & midwives, firebrigade, EPA, TII, ASTI, INMO, AHCPS, VOA, Fórsa, TUI and NUI Galway campaigns. **Source: Cornmarket survey of INMO, TUI and Fórsa members, 2018 - 2019. The Schemes mentioned above are underwritten by New Ireland, Aviva and Irish Life. New Ireland Assurance Company plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of Bank of Ireland Group. Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland Designated Activity Company, trading as Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland and Friends First, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Irish Life Assurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of the Irish Life Group Ltd. which is part of the Great-West Lifeco Group of companies.