Growth & Jobs | ‘I never thought I’d need it’

Last year, Nerissa Gordon* (not her real name) was diagnosed with Stage three breast cancer. The news was devastating, but she is thankful that the one decision she made months earlier turned out to be a lifesaver.

“In 2023, I had an encounter with JN Life Insurance agent Shereda Morgan. She asked if I had life insurance — or better yet, a critical illness policy,” Gordon recalls. “I told her no because I didn’t see the need. She explained the advantages, and I said I’d think about it.”

Even after Ms Morgan outlined the benefits, Ms Gordon remained unconvinced.

“I told her I would purchase the critical illness insurance policy, but in my mind, I was only getting it for my mother and not for myself because I thought I wouldn’t need it because I am very young. Although I got it, I was still sceptical. Even in the discussions leading up to the purchase of the policy, I recalled saying to her that it would be better if I invest my money or purchase another policy with an investment portion. Miss Morgan asked me why would I want to pull from the investment of that policy when I could purchase a product that was designed specifically to provide coverage against major illnesses,” she said.

Eventually, Ms Gordon purchased coverage for herself and her mother. It was a decision that would prove invaluable less than a year later.

One day, she felt a lump in her breast. Concerned, she visited her gynaecologist, who initially dismissed the possibility of cancer because of her age.

“She recommended an ultrasound. Then they suggested a mammogram because they didn’t like what they saw. After a biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed that I had triple-negative breast cancer. They said because of the type of cancer, I had to start treatment immediately, and this was two surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation,” she shared.

FUNDS CAME AT THE RIGHT TIME

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a rare type of breast cancer. It accounts for 15 per cent of all breast cancer cases. Unlike most breast cancer types, triple-negative breast cancer cells don’t have the receptors or proteins that help cancer grow and spread. This makes TNBC challenging to treat. And although having a critical illness policy, Gordon was doubtful that she could claim from it because of the short time for which she had it.

“I was having a conversation with Ms Morgan, and she assured me that I would benefit from it, but I was unconvinced because I thought that the process would be cumbersome and bureaucratic, so I was procrastinating and didn’t want to claim. I also thought that I would not benefit from the policy,” she stated.

However, Ms Morgan persisted and convinced Ms Gordon that she could make a claim.

“She told me just submit the paperwork I had so she could start the process, but even then, I was still sceptical. She sent me the forms to complete and went over them with me. I eventually submitted them and prayed about it because in my mind nothing would come of it,” she shared.

A few days later, Ms Gordon received an email from JN Life Insurance saying that the funds to cover her medical expenses had been deposited to her account.

“I was shocked,” she said. “I did not expect it. The funds came at the right time, and I was happy because it covered the treatment.”

A FIGHTING CHANCE

Morgan stressed the importance of having a critical illness policy because it represents a chance at living.

“Many individuals, especially young people, think that because of their age they are immune to chronic illnesses, such as cancer, stroke and heart attacks, when the data shows that even more people in their 30s and younger are being diagnosed with these conditions,” she underscored.

“Ms Gordon decided to purchase a policy to provide coverage for herself and her mother in the event of unfortunate events. Thankfully, she did, and she was able to benefit from it because the JN Family Aide critical illness product covers between two and six individuals and provides financial protection for 13 chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, coma, kidney disease, liver disease and others. We are happy that JN Life Insurance was able to assist, and we are confident she will recover to be able to live her life to the fullest,” she added.

The educator is grateful to Ms Morgan for not just encouraging her to purchase the policy but also her reassurance when it was time to claim.

“Ms Morgan encouraged me from the beginning to purchase a critical illness policy, which I got for me and my mother. I am glad I did although the one I purchased doesn’t have the reoccurrence benefit, so I have been advised to purchase that one for my mother. But I am glad she encouraged me to access the benefit because it has helped,” she noted.

“I would recommend to everyone, young and old, that purchasing a critical illness policy is the best investment you can ever make, and I have no regrets that I bought one,” she affirmed.

*Name changed