Ingrid's story: touched by cancer and the return to wellness

Like many Australian women, Ingrid De Jong-Somerville began getting twice-yearly mammograms in her early 40s. As a registered nurse, she knew the importance of undergoing regular health check-ups and the difference that early detection can make. But doing right by your health doesn’t always mean getting the results you hope for: when she was in her fifties, Ingrid was diagnosed with breast cancer. “We were absolutely devastated” she recalls. “It was like ‘This wasn’t part of the program.’”

As this short video reveals, while an early diagnosis meant Ingrid was in a good position to survive her illness, peace of mind also helped. In looking to set themselves up for retirement, Ingrid and Greg had taken the time to see a financial adviser, who’d recommended they take out life insurance, TPD, income protection and crisis recovery with AIA.

“AIA paid out the lump sum from our crisis recovery as soon as I’d had my surgery” remembers Ingrid. “And with the income protection they were just amazing. A girl rang me from AIA and took me through all the paper work... I kept saying to her ‘I didn’t think we were going to be entitled to that’. She just told me: ‘That’s what insurance is for.’”

As part of AIA’s mission to make Australia and New Zealand the healthiest, most protected nations in the world, the AIA Vitality program rewards its members for undergoing regular breast cancer checks. AIA Vitality members can earn 1,000 points for getting mammograms (every year for two consecutive years).

AIA Vitality is also a Gold partner of this year’s Mother’s Day Classic, an annual fun run and walk that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research. 2019 marks the second consecutive year that AIA Vitality will be sponsoring this effort to support and remember those touched by breast cancer.

For more information on AIA’s range of insurance cover and the AIA Vitality program, please speak to your Client Development Manager or call AIA Australia toll-free on 1800 033 490.