"Cancer is the demon I love to fight".
Here’s a little something to ponder… When it comes to insurance, most people seem comfortable splurging on entertainment, clothing and food than they are on lifestyle protection policies such as dread disease cover. Often, the thinking is that: “It will never happen to me!” or “I still have time!” However, life-altering illnesses such as cancer, a stroke or heart attack often require that one take time off from regular programming to fully recover.
Meet
Kim Gillot
Kim Gillot, shares how her Old Mutual Illness insurance payout helped her get ahead of the unforeseen costs of a severe illness and, instead, gave her peace of mind.
No Guarantees
This was the case for Kim Gillot, who was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at 32 – without any family history at all.
“I discovered a lump after bumping myself in the shower and ignored it as most women do because we often don’t want to be inconvenienced by these things,” recalls Kim.
A week and a half later, she consulted a doctor for food poisoning and insisted on a by-the-way breast exam. When the doctor couldn’t pick up the lump via a physical examination, Kim listened to her intuition and insisted on a mammogram. The mammogram results showed an abnormality. Next was a biopsy.
“I remember receiving a call on 25 February 2017 confirming that I had aggressive stage 2 hormone-positive breast cancer. My cancer was both oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and progesterone receptor-positive (PR+),” shares Kim.
She had the tumour removed within a week of her final biopsy and adds that getting the surgery out the way so soon was what ultimately spared her from the aggressive cancer.
Kim received her payout from her Old Mutual Illness insurance policy shortly after the lumpectomy.
“The money was a huge godsend,” she says. At age 20, Kim recalls seeing her father work relentlessly to pay her mother’s medical bills after she’d suffered a stroke.
This, along with a 2016 smash and grab incident, made her realise just how underinsured she was, leading her to take out the Old Mutual Illness insurance amongst other policies.
Peace of mind
When experiencing something as all-consuming as cancer, it’s a cycle of medical tests, treatments and recovery.
After three harrowing rounds of chemotherapy, doctors switched Kim to aggressive radiation, which she did five days a week for seven weeks. “It was tiring and painful,” she recalls.
This was followed by hormone-therapy implants for the next 18 months to subdue her oestrogen levels. The therapy introduced a new dynamic – chemically induced menopause as a side effect!
In November 2019, instead of continuing on the hormone- therapy, Kim opted for a hysterectomy – something she says left her broken, with a lot of unanswered questions.
For Kim, who was placed on temporary disability leave at work, the Old Mutual Illness insurance payout took away the overwhelming financial burden of the upfront medical payments and shortfalls.
“Even though my Old Mutual financial adviser is based in Cape Town, I have telephonic access to financial advice at all times. I really appreciate how each adviser that I spoke to gave me really good counsel in investing and growing the money to sustain myself,” enthuses Kim.
In 2022, Kim was recovering from a double mastectomy. And her can-do attitude remains strong.
“Cancer is the demon I love to fight; I’m going to keep fighting it,” she shares, adding that she always makes it a point to share just how important severe illness cover is.
“If you have the financial means to do it, please go ahead and make that sacrifice. We lead fast-paced and stressful lives and tomorrow is not promised to us. Everyone has a journey – yours may not be cancer but another illness.”
No Guarantees
This was the case for Kim Gillot, who was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at 32 – without any family history at all.
“I discovered a lump after bumping myself in the shower and ignored it as most women do because we often don’t want to be inconvenienced by these things,” recalls Kim.
A week and a half later, she consulted a doctor for food poisoning and insisted on a by-the-way breast exam. When the doctor couldn’t pick up the lump via a physical examination, Kim listened to her intuition and insisted on a mammogram. The mammogram results showed an abnormality. Next was a biopsy.
“I remember receiving a call on 25 February 2017 confirming that I had aggressive stage 2 hormone-positive breast cancer. My cancer was both oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and progesterone receptor-positive (PR+),” shares Kim.
She had the tumour removed within a week of her final biopsy and adds that getting the surgery out the way so soon was what ultimately spared her from the aggressive cancer.
Kim received her payout from her Old Mutual Illness insurance policy shortly after the lumpectomy.
“The money was a huge godsend,” she says. At age 20, Kim recalls seeing her father work relentlessly to pay her mother’s medical bills after she’d suffered a stroke.
This, along with a 2016 smash and grab incident, made her realise just how underinsured she was, leading her to take out the Old Mutual Illness insurance amongst other policies.
Peace of mind
When experiencing something as all-consuming as cancer, it’s a cycle of medical tests, treatments and recovery.
After three harrowing rounds of chemotherapy, doctors switched Kim to aggressive radiation, which she did five days a week for seven weeks. “It was tiring and painful,” she recalls.
This was followed by hormone-therapy implants for the next 18 months to subdue her oestrogen levels. The therapy introduced a new dynamic – chemically induced menopause as a side effect!
In November 2019, instead of continuing on the hormone- therapy, Kim opted for a hysterectomy – something she says left her broken, with a lot of unanswered questions.
For Kim, who was placed on temporary disability leave at work, the Old Mutual Illness insurance payout took away the overwhelming financial burden of the upfront medical payments and shortfalls.
“Even though my Old Mutual financial adviser is based in Cape Town, I have telephonic access to financial advice at all times. I really appreciate how each adviser that I spoke to gave me really good counsel in investing and growing the money to sustain myself,” enthuses Kim.
In 2022, Kim was recovering from a double mastectomy. And her can-do attitude remains strong.
“Cancer is the demon I love to fight; I’m going to keep fighting it,” she shares, adding that she always makes it a point to share just how important severe illness cover is.
“If you have the financial means to do it, please go ahead and make that sacrifice. We lead fast-paced and stressful lives and tomorrow is not promised to us. Everyone has a journey – yours may not be cancer but another illness.”
For more information visit www.oldmutual.co.za/illness or speak to your financial adviser.
Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited is a licensed FSP and Life Insurer. Ts and Cs apply.
Disclaimer: This story was told by one of our customers, who received a monetary token of our appreciation for sharing it.
The material is not intended as and does not constitute financial or any other advice. The material does not take your personal financial circumstances into account. For this reason, it is recommended that you speak to an accredited financial adviser to consider all your options and draw up a plan to achieve your financial goals.
For more information visit www.oldmutual.co.za/illness or speak to your financial adviser.
Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited is a licensed FSP and Life Insurer. Ts and Cs apply.
Disclaimer: This story was told by one of our customers, who received a monetary token of our appreciation for sharing it.
The material is not intended as and does not constitute financial or any other advice. The material does not take your personal financial circumstances into account. For this reason, it is recommended that you speak to an accredited financial adviser to consider all your options and draw up a plan to achieve your financial goals.
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