HP Ireland, the Mater Private Hospital and Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited today joined forces to launch "The Power of Pink".
- HP Ireland, the Mater Private Hospital and Aviva Health Insurance join forces in the fight against breast cancer
HP Ireland, the Mater Private Hospital and Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited today joined forces to launch "The Power of Pink". This is an innovative programme, the first of its scale in Ireland, it will offer on-site breast examination and risk assessment to 4,500 HP employees and their families. This is one of many health initiatives that HP Ireland will be offering its employees’ as part of its new global wellness initiative which addresses HP’s three pillars of wellness: physical wellness, financial wellbeing and stress management.
As part of the programme, HP employees and their families will be eligible to be assessed by a team of experts from the Mater Private Specialist Breast Centre by the end of October, additional support and advice will be made available throughout the process for any employee who may be affected by the disease. This programme is unique both in its scale and methodology, bringing health education and medical expertise onsite to HP employees nationwide.
“This initiative is part of HP’s worldwide wellness programme which has recently been launched. The health and well-being of our employees is paramount and this is reinforced by our commitment to this global wellness initiative,” said Martin Murphy, managing director of HP Ireland.
“We are delighted to be involved with the Power of Pink, which is being rolled out in partnership with the Mater Private Hospital and Aviva Health Insurance, in our fight against breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women and this initiative aims to ultimately speed up the discovery process by offering free screenings and education to our employees.”
HP is leading the way with The Power of Pink initiative that focuses first and foremost on early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. The company has invested in this global employee health programme working with Aviva, a team of physicians and breast care nurses who will carry out the assessments on site at HP’s offices in Dublin, Galway and Kildare from mid-September. Lunchtime seminars will also take place to educate employees on cancer prevention.
Speaking at the event, Dr Gormlaith Hargaden, Consultant Radiologist specialising in breast cancer with the Mater Private Hospital said: “With this fantastic initiative up to 4,500 people will be assessed and educated on the principles of breast self examination. This is a forward thinking initiative which highlights the importance of early diagnosis in breast cancer – we are delighted to be involved and to offer world class quality care and treatment to anyone who may need rapid response and support”
Siobhan Fay, managing director of Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited, said: “As HP Ireland’s health insurance provider, Aviva is proud to be part of the Power of Pink initiative. We are committed to supporting our corporate clients with health promotion initiatives such as the Power of Pink, which is an excellent example of how increased awareness and early intervention is critical in the fight against breast cancer. Aviva is delighted to support, promote and manage this important well being programme for HP in Ireland.”
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For further information, please contact:
James Dunny, Fleishman-Hillard
Telephone: 01 6188417 or 086 3883903
E-mail: james.dunny@fleishmaneurope.com
Notes to editor:
General breast cancer research
Each year over 2,300 women and 25 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland. However, the National Cancer Registry shows that breast cancer survival is continuing to improve. This progress is due in part to breast screening, which aims to detect breast cancer at the earliest possible stage.
The Power of Pink Programme – Breast Cancer Assessment Process:
- Risk questionnaires will be issued to all employees and their families on 19 September and returned to the Mater Private Specialist Breast Centre for initial assessment.
- All employees will be given an appointment for an onsite breast health check.
- High risk individuals, such as those with a history of breast cancer or with suspicious symptoms will be referred for further assessment, including mammography and ultrasound, at the Mater Private Specialist Breast Centre.
About HP Wellness
HP wants its employees to be at their best - including their overall personal wellness. HP recognises that employee wellness is important for individual employees, their families and has a direct tie to the health of our company and the communities where we are located. Wellness plays a significant role in employee satisfaction and productivity, as well as supporting an environment that produces higher levels of creativity and innovation. Wellness is a hallmark of HP’s culture.
With that in mind, HP is investing in its employees through a global wellness initiative that takes a holistic approach to wellness. HP’s wellness strategy focuses on three areas that add value to people’s lives: physical wellness, financial well-being and stress management. Specific wellness programs are localised by country, but address these three pillars of wellness to help employees achieve their personal goals.
- Physical wellness: Programs are available to focus on employees’ physical health – from giving help and encouragement to be physically active to providing tips and support for healthy eating. For example, in August 2011, more than 50,000 employees in 90 countries completed HP’s 12-week Global Wellness Challenge, in which employees formed teams to track the minutes they exercised and steps they walked using HP-provided pedometers.
- Financial well-being: HP brings together tools and resources to help employees identify and meet their financial goals, whether for household budgeting, retirement, children’s education or other aspects of their financial future.
- Stress management: Programs provide support to help employees manage stress and take control of life's challenges. Employees can access tools, information, and resources to help enhance their health, work and life.
About the Mater Private Hospital
The Specialist Breast Centre at the Mater Private Hospital is a dedicated facility offering rapid access to assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients with breast disease. Services are delivered, in line with international best practices, by a multidisciplinary team of specialists including Specialist Breast Surgeons, Radiologists, Pathologists, Radiographers, Breast Care Nurses
The Specialist Breast Centre carries out approximately 3,500 mammograms, 1,400 breast ultrasounds, and diagnoses and treats over 200 women with breast cancer each year.
About Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited
Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited is Ireland's fastest growing private health insurer. Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.