ONE hundred and fifty more women are set to benefit from complimentary mammograms, courtesy of the JN Group, as the company covers the cost of screening for the third-consecutive year under its annual Power of Pink campaign, launched each year in observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

JN renewed its commitment to eliminating the costs for 150 women on social media and as part of the Nationwide News Network’s Health & Wellness Tour at Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Victoria Jubilee Hospital on October 16 and 23, respectively.

Josette Smith-Scott, head of product and brand management at JN Bank, pointed out during the tour at the Bustamante Hospital for Children that customarily, the mammograms are issued at the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) on World Mammography Day, observed on the third Friday of the month.

She, however, explained that the plan was adjusted due to the mammography machine at the JCS being currently out of service.

“The recipients of the free mammograms will be scheduled to have their mammograms done as soon as the mammography machine is back in operation. The JN Group remains committed to providing the complimentary screenings as part of our ongoing efforts to make breast cancer screening more accessible to women,” she said.

Smith-Scott noted that participating in the tour provided an opportunity for the JN Group to reinforce the importance of breast health and encourage women to speak with their health-care providers about the screening options available to them.

Now in its ninth year, the Power of Pink campaign, under the theme ‘Take the Brave Steps’, encourages women to prioritise their health through regular screening and early detection, and Smith-Scott said it also ties in with the JN Group’s ‘Own Your Journey’ campaign, which focuses on supporting its customers along their individual journeys and helping them achieve their goals.

“The JN Group’s Own Your Journey campaign encourages people to recognise their individual journeys, take responsibility for their goals and make intentional decisions about their future. When applied to health, that message becomes particularly meaningful. Each person’s health journey is different, but we all have a role to play in making informed decisions, seeking medical advice and taking appropriate action,” Smith-Scott explained.

“Taking a brave step could mean learning how to perform a breast self-examination or discussing a concern with a health-care professional,” she added.

Hugh Reid, managing director, JN Life Insurance, pointed out that breast cancer awareness is an important issue for the company.

“A breast cancer diagnosis will result in huge medical expenses, changes in income, time away from work and additional responsibilities for loved ones. While we cannot prevent every health challenge, we can encourage people to take proactive steps to protect their well-being and prepare financially for unexpected circumstances,” said Reid.

He also encouraged people to consider getting critical illness insurance to help ease the financial burden that can come with a serious illness.

“Critical illness insurance is designed to provide a financial benefit when an insured person is diagnosed with a covered serious illness, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Such a diagnosis can create financial pressures at a time when the individual and family are already coping with significant emotional challenges.

“Having appropriate critical illness coverage can help the insured person manage some of the financial implications of the illness. It is important, however, for persons to understand what a policy covers before making a decision,” added Reid.

Meanwhile, JN Money Services, the remittance arm of the JN Group, spearheaded a fund-raising drive throughout October, which encouraged customers in its overseas markets to contribute towards the fight against breast cancer.

The proceeds will be donated to the JCS and its affiliate, Jamaica Reach to Recovery, which provides support to breast cancer patients and survivors specifically.

JN Money customers have supported the annual fundraising initiative for several years, helping to provide resources for Jamaica Reach to Recovery that assist women affected by the disease.