Twenty years ago, some people thought I was buying a ridiculous policy that only covered women’s cancer. However, my aunt had referred me, and the monthly premium was so affordable that it made little difference to my budget. She had held the same policy for a year or two, and when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the payout from her policy was one of the few bright spots during an otherwise difficult experience.

At the time, I also had a life insurance policy with a well-known company, but I felt that the Platinum Life policy offered a more focused type of financial protection, especially because it included the possibility of receiving money back if I never needed to claim.
Four years later, both my mother and my cousin were diagnosed with breast cancer. This motivated me to keep my Platinum Life policy. I even increased my monthly premium because I feared that I, too, might one day develop breast cancer after seeing so many women in my family affected by the disease.

One of the benefits of this policy is that Platinum Life knows how to make women feel appreciated. Over the years, I received skincare products from Isabella Garcia whenever my policy was reviewed or upgraded. Even when I later had to reduce my monthly premium after losing my job in 2016 and again in 2023, Platinum Life consultants such as Lenice and Dinette listened with compassion to my circumstances and helped me reduce my cover to the lowest premium level so that I could keep my policy. Even then, a gift package would still arrive in the mail.

During COVID, my husband also lost his job, and we had to sell our home and cut back on almost every expense just to stay afloat. We cancelled all of our insurance policies except my Platinum Life policy, and for that I am extremely grateful, because on 20 November 2024, I tested positive for breast cancer.

A week later, I contacted Platinum Life and was treated with kindness and compassion. Within an hour, I had received all the forms and information I needed to submit my claim. The doctors were familiar with the documentation required, and the supporting documents were straightforward to obtain. I submitted my claim on 12 December 2024, and Platinum Life paid out on 30 December 2024, just ten days after I received my first chemotherapy treatment.

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the process was handled. I thought that would be my last interaction with Platinum Life. However, in January 2025, Leandi Schoonees called me. At first, I assumed it was simply a follow-up call regarding the payout, but she showed a genuine interest in my well-being and how I was coping with treatment. When she started asking questions about my shoe size, I found it a little unusual. About a week later, a courier delivered a large box that completely took me by surprise.

Without even knowing me personally, she had put together a care package that made me feel truly cared for. It was clear that every item had been thoughtfully selected and purchased. Time and effort had gone into choosing everything. The pyjamas came from Miladys, the slippers and hat from Woolworths, the book from a bookstore, and the tea, cranberries, and scarf from other shops. I was speechless. She must have spent hours, perhaps even more than half a day, putting that gift together. Included was a handwritten card with words of encouragement—not a generic printed message sent to every client, but something personal and sincerely meant.

In the ten months following my diagnosis, throughout chemotherapy and after my mastectomy, it was difficult to continue working at full capacity. My income decreased, while the additional expenses not covered by medical aid became overwhelming.