Scottish Widows has extended its partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support until 2028 to continue helping customers living with or affected by cancer.
This is the first time the charity has entered a five-year deal with a financial services partner.
Since the start of the partnership in October 2021, the insurer has referred more than 600 customers to Macmillan for cancer support.
Those signposted to Macmillan’s Financial Guidance team could be collectively more than £242,000 better off as a result.
To support its customers with the financial impact of cancer, the insurer last year increased advance payments to £3,000, meaning that customers have cash available while their critical illness claim is being assessed.
Through the partnership, more than 100 customers who were receiving help from Macmillan Cancer Support have been referred to Scottish Widows, supporting a two-way process.
Macmillan also provides assistance to Scottish Widows employees affected by cancer; in collaboration with the charity, 1,400 colleagues have received cancer-specific training.
Rose St Louis, protection director at Scottish Widows, said: “Macmillan estimates that in 2025 nearly 3.5 million people will be living with cancer in the UK, and this figure is likely to grow to four million people by 2030.
“We are proud that at Scottish Widows we are not only able to provide financial security and peace of mind for our customers, but alongside Macmillan we are also taking on the future together by providing vital support to those living with the illness and their families in this difficult time.
“I strongly believe that this partnership helps us to keep making a real difference by providing guidance, financial and mental health support to those affected by cancer.”
Kate Goldman-Toomey, director of revenue innovation, corporate partnerships & philanthropy at Macmillan said: “We’re extremely proud of our partnership with Scottish Widows which enables us to provide greater support to people living with cancer when they need it most, especially those struggling with the financial impact of cancer.
“This partnership is vital as we know that a cancer diagnosis brings additional financial burdens, coupled with the current cost-of-living crisis and the additional pressures this brings.
“Over the last two years our work together has gone from strength to strength, and we’re thrilled to continue to deliver impact for customers, colleagues and people living with cancer over the next five years and work with ambition to increase this impact.”
